A judge has ordered a Bundoran man awaiting sentencing for an assault to appear in court.
Judge Éiteáin Cunningham has warned that a bench warrant will be issued for 46-year-old Colin Harrison if he fails to appear.
Harrison, of Market Square, Bundoran, was due before Ballyshannon District Court to meet a charge arising out of an incident on February 27, 2024 at the Great Northern Hotel in Bundoran.
Inspector Tony Byrne told the court that the injured party was on his mobile phone when Harrison – described as his “former friend” – approached him.
Inspector Byrne said that Harrison got the other man in a headlock and pushed him through the hallway.
The victim was said to have received “a number of boxes to the head” from Harrison.
The man suffered cuts on his ear and lip while CCTV was obtained and Harrison was later interviews. He admitted to the assault and told Gardai that the other man had engaged in verbals, Inspector Byrne added.
A victim impact statement from the victim was handed into the court.
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The accused man, who has no previous convictions for this type of offending, was represented by solicitor Mr Gerry McGovern, who said Harrison advised him that he was unable to come to court. Mr McGovern said that his client had suffered a back injury, which meant that he could not sit for a prolonged period.
Judge Cunningham said that the incident had an effect on the victim and added: “I appreciate that he may be unwell, but he will have to come to court.”
Mr McGovern outlined that he had told his client this “in no uncertain terms” including on the morning prior to the schedule court appearance.
The matter was adjourned to July 17 and Harrison has been directed to be present.
“I will issue a bench warrant if he is not here,” Judge Cunningham said. “It will be first on the list and he can stand for proceedings so his back won’t be impacted.
“There is a victim here who needs to be protected and the court cannot allow this to continue. This matter has to be dealt with.”