A footballer who broke another player’s jaw during the last 15 minutes of an GAA inter-club clash in Dublin has been spared a jail sentence.
Seán O’Connor (21), Cabra, Dublin, was given 12 months probation after he pleaded guilty to assaulting Tiarnan Crowe (26) during a football match between Oliver Plunkett’s and Scoil Uí Chonaill on August 31st last.
Judge Anthony Halpin heard at Dublin District Court yesterday that Scoil Uí Chonaill player Mr Crowe “had been trying to make space between himself and his marker”. He was pushed to the ground and when he turned to face Plunkett’s player O’Connor, he was “punched in the face and sustained a broken jaw”.
Judge Halpin was also told by defence solicitor Declan Fahy that O’Connor had co-operated with gardaí and was remorseful. Mr Fahy also asked the judge to note that Mr Crowe had accepted a final settlement of €13,344 from O’Connor. The judge imposed a 12-month probation bond of €1,200 which would act as a fine if probation was breached.