Jail for footballer who punched ref
Friday December 05 2008
A soccer player who punched a referee after he was sent off for violent contact was jailed yesterday.
Shane Brennan (20), of Cromcastle Drive, Kilmore, Dublin, was playing for an under-18 side in a north Dublin League when he hit referee Mark Davidson in the mouth. Mr Davidson said since the incident he had spent over €3,000 on dental work and expected to spend another €60,000. Judge Katherine Delahunt dismissed this figure as excessive and sentenced Brennan to two years, suspending the final 12 months on condition he engage with the probation service and seek treatment for his bipolar depression.
She noted he showed a "lack of empathy" with the victim because he tried to justify his assault by saying, "I had never been sent off in my life."
Assault
Brennan had pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm at Portmarnock Sports and Leisure Centre on May 15 2007.
The court was told how the accused was sent off during a game between Portmarnock FC and Donaghmede Celtic. Mr Davidson said Brennan, who played for Portmarnock, was ordered off after he pushed an opposition player to the ground.
Prosecutor Garnett Orange said: "The accused saw more than red and punched the referee in the face."
Defence counsel Ray Colgan said Brennan suffered from serious bipolar depression and has had several psychotic incidents.
Mr Colgan said his client had recently spent three months in a residential care home because of his illness.
- Conor Gallagher
