A FORMER GAA star has been found guilty of causing an affray during a fight in which his brother admitted biting off part of another man’s ear.
Donegal footballer Kevin Cassidy (30) was among five men who appeared in court yesterday regarding a fight between two sets of brothers outside a nightclub.
Letterkenny Circuit Court was told how all five men had pleaded guilty to involvement in an incident outside Voodoo Nightclub in Gweedore on August 24th, 2008.
Garda Sgt Jim Collins said the fight arose after claims that Cassidy had been assaulted in the nightclub. He said when he arrived he found the two-time GAA All-Star outside the club with blood coming from his nose.
Cassidy claimed he had been assaulted by two men inside.
Sgt Collins told Cassidy and his brother Stephen (37) to go home. A few minutes later he witnessed the Cassidy brothers charge at Shaun, Niall and Michael Maguire. Punches and kicks were exchanged.
Witnesses said Stephen Cassidy lunged at the head of Shaun Maguire and appeared to bite his ear, which started to bleed heavily.
The court heard a piece of Maguire’s ear was still missing and he had yet to decide whether to have surgery on it.
The court also heard there was a background to the feud between the rival groups but they had not come to the attention of gardaí since the 2008 incident.
Judge John O’Hagan interrupted proceedings and said he had decided what he planned to do. He said the matter was four years in the past and he hoped both parties had matured somewhat and would stay out of each other’s way.
He was going to give all the men community service orders instead of sending them to jail.
He gave Stephen Cassidy, Upper Brinaleck, Gweedore, 240 hours of community service in lieu of one year in prison for assault.
His brother Kevin, Coteen, Derrybeg was given 180 hours of community service in lieu of six months in prison for causing an affray.
Shaun Maguire (28), Ardsbeg, Gortahork, got 50 hours of community service in lieu of one month in prison for a charge under the Public Order Act. His brother, Michael Maguire (21), also Ardsbeg, received 180 hours in lieu of six months in jail for causing an affray.
Another brother, Niall Maguire, also Ardsbeg, was given 180 hours of community service in lieu of six months in prison for affray.