A judge yesterday condemned the "thuggish behaviour" of a 32-year-old soccer player who thumped an opponent during a match, breaking his jaw in two places.
The victim was singled out because, it was alleged, he was responsible for having the defendant sent off in an earlier match.
Sentencing in the case against Kieran Moore, Corner House, Market Square, Swinford, has been adjourned at Foxford District Court until April 16th for a community service assessment report.
If found suitable, Moore will be sentenced to 150 hours' community service instead of three months' imprisonment. He has been ordered to pay witness expenses of €200.
Garda Des McCann said the assault occurred on April 22nd last year during a soccer match between Moy Villa and Swinford. There was an altercation between Moore, who plays for Swinford and Momme Reibisch of Moy Villa. Moore caught Reibisch - an Irish national of German parents - in a headlock and punched him. His jaw was broken in two places.
There had been an incident between the two in an earlier game, said Garda McCann. Moore was sent off and he blamed Mr Reibisch for it.
Garda McCann said he spoke to the referee and his report did not indicate it was a heated match. He said it was a reasonably fair match.
Mr Pat O'Connor, solicitor, defending, said Moore had been playing with the Swinford team for many years and had never been in an incident like this before. It was a case of young men playing games and things getting overheated.
He said the Mayo League investigated the matter and took no action, primarily because the referee did not see the incident.
Mr O'Connor told Judge Mary Devins it was important that she knew there were consequences for his client with regard to a compensation. Moore admitted he "went a little too far".
"I don't agree with a lot of what you've said," Judge Devins told him. "I think it's simply and utterly thuggish behaviour and I will deal with it as such."