Laois footballer Colm Parkinson yesterday pleaded guilty to two assault charges following a fracas in a nightclub three weeks ago.
Parkinson (26), with an address in Meelick, Portlaoise, Co Laois, pleased guilt in Athlone District Court to two counts of assault early on Sunday morning, October 24th. Sentencing will take place next Tuesday.
Insp Tom Curley told the court that in relation to the first assault, the victim, Mr Patrick Macken, was sitting in a toilet in the night-club texting friends when he was assaulted by Parkinson.
Parkinson was in a drunken state, and attempted to hit Mr Macken twice. However CCTV footage showed that he missed.
The second incident occurred outside a chip shop when Parkinson punched Mr Kevin Hanly, who was lying on the ground. Parkinson and two friends were arrested by gardaí in relation to the incidents.
Parkinson's solicitor said his client had only a peripheral involvement. "He had more drink than was good for him," said solicitor Mr Padraig Quinn. "An offer of compensation of €500 has been made, not in seeking to buy his way out of anything but by way of an apology."
He said his client was a GAA player with a bright future.
"This moment of brief madness might tarnish that reputation that has been hard-earned over a number of years."
His client had ambitions to travel to Australia, but a conviction would ruin these long-held plans. "He is not a bad person; this was totally out of character."
He also complained about the intense media publicity his client had been subjected to, especially about pre-trial stories written in the Irish Star and Irish Mirror.
"My client was scandalised and demonised by some elements of the media; he has already paid a very high price."
The judge said he had the "utmost faith" in the integrity of the press, and was completely confident in its coverage of the case.
He had not seen any pre-trial publicity, but when handed copies of both papers, he said he was "surprised", and that it was "serious".
Mr Quinn said the incident had had a huge impact on his client, and he was unlikely to reoffend.