Hotel guest assaulted man in row over jacket

By Eimear Cotter

A HOTEL guest punched another man on the side of the head after a row over a jacket, a court was told.

Eilis McMullen (40) thought the jacket, which was lying on a chair, belonged to him and picked it up.

Judge David McHugh fined him €200.

The defendant, of Liffey Court, Ballymore Eustace, Co Kildare, admitted before Blanchardstown District Court to public drunkenness, breach of the peace and assaulting another man at the Red Cow Hotel, Newlands Cross, shortly before 3.30am last April 5.

Sgt Maria Callaghan said the victim got into a dispute with McMullen over a jacket, which he thought had been resolved.

McMullen then punched the victim on the side of the head, leaving him with a red mark.

Sgt Callaghan said McMullen was drunk and verbally abusive to gardai and hotel staff.

Defence solicitor Terence Hanahoe said McMullen, a married man with four children, had met some people in the hotel. He mixed alcohol with medication, which he believes may have affected him.

Mr Hanahoe said McMullen did not remember the assault and was sorry for his behaviour.

hnews@herald.ie