Laois senior footballer Colm Parkinson will do either 150 hours of community service or serve six months in jail after being convicted in Athlone Circuit Court yesterday of two assaults. Liam Horan reports.
Judge Michael Reilly ordered that a Community Service Report be prepared for the court on February 8th.
If the report finds Parkinson, of Meelick, Portlaoise, to be a suitable candidate, he will do 150 hours of community service. Otherwise, he will serve six months in jail.
Parkinson, who will play for Portlaoise against Kilmacud Crokes in the Leinster senior club championship on Sunday, pleaded guilty to assaulting Mr Patrick Macken in an Athlone nightclub, and Mr Kevin Hanley on Church Street, Athlone, on October 24th. Parkinson was in a drunken state when he swung twice at Mr Macken in the toilets of the nightclub. CCTV footage showed that he missed his target on both occasions. The second incident occurred outside a chip shop shortly afterwards when Parkinson punched Mr Hanley, who was lying on the ground.
Parkinson and two friends were arrested. The other two have had their cases adjourned to Athlone District Court December 14th.
Judge Reilly yesterday said the assault on Mr Hanley was "a bad assault". He took into consideration the assault on Mr Macken when making the order for a Community Service Report.
He also noted that Parkinson was "an exceptionally good sportsman" and "wishes to progress his life" by travelling to live and work in Australia.
Solicitor Mr Padraig Quinn, for Parkinson, said his client would be in Australia already were it not for the continuing involvement of his club in the championship.
If Portlaoise won on Sunday, the club would be in action again on Sunday week.