Enniskillen Magistrates Court
AN ENNISKILLEN man who assaulted a father over a misunderstanding about a child has been given a suspended prison sentence.
Michael Carey (27) of Derrin Park pleaded guilty to common assault at Enniskillen Magistrates Court on Monday.
On June 19th last a child was seen wandering on Rossory Road calling “mommy, mommy.”
The child was later found by police at home with its mother.
The court was told the injured party in the assault had taken the child while its mother was talking with friends at the Lough Inn. When he took the child back to the Lough Inn, a group came along and assaulted him. This group included Carey, who punched the man, knocking him out.
The child was seen on CCTV being taken away from the scene before the assault took place.
Defence solicitor Steffan Rafferty said Carey was remorseful for what he’d done, and explained at the time the defendant had been led to believe “other offences” were being committed concerning the child.
Mr Rafferty said “more sinister allegations were afoot” and said that Carey had acted in what he believed where the interests of the child.
Mr Rafferty said Carey had been approached by the child’s mother, who denies common assault in the relation to the same incident, about the injured party, who is the child’s father and her ex-partner.
Carey and the injured party did not know each other.
Judge Michael Ranaghan said to Carey: “You’ll be aware of other incidents where a single punch leads to serious injuries and people die.”
Judge Ranaghan said that there was no doubt there had been some concern for the child, but regardless Carey had carried out a violent offence against a person he didn’t know.
Carey was sentenced to three months in custody, suspended for 18 months.
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