Man who produced carpet knife Midlands Lidl shop row 'saw red'

Two men were convicted for committing assaults in a Birr dispute, during last week’s Court sitting in Tullamore. 

Jason Maughan. 35 Grove Street, Crinkle, Birr pleaded guilty to assaulting Patrick O’Brien, causing him harm, on September 14,  2022  on  Main Street Birr. 

Patrick O'Brien. 16 The Heritage, Main Street, Birr pleaded guilty to assaulting Jason Maughan, causing him harm, on September  22,  2022  at Lidl, Tullamore Road, Birr.

On the same date and  location he was also charged with producing a carpet knife a manner likely unlawfully to intimidate another person an article capable of inflicting serious injury.

Garda Sgt James O’Sullivan told the court that on September 14 while walking down Main Street Mr Maughan saw Mr O’Brien talking to someone else outside a shop. “He crossed the road and punched Mr O’Brien a number of times in the face. Mr Maughan said he wanted to fight Mr O’Brien because of tension between Mr O’Brien and Mr Maughan’s father.”

Mr O’Brien suffered facial injuries when Mr Maughan punched him on the 14. The defending solicitor Patrick Martin said Mr Maughan had no previous convictions and is 19 years of age.

“Mr  Maughan, unfortunately, saw red on this occasion. He  apologises  for his  behaviour,” said the solicitor. 

The defending solicitor for Mr O’Brien, Donal Farrelly, told the Judge that this dispute between the two families broke out again about a week later at Lidl supermarket. 

Sgt O’Sullivan pointed out that Mr O’Brien had 39  previous convictions, including public order offences and theft.  Mr  Farrelly said his client is 42 years of age.

“There has been a lot of instability and trauma in  Mr O’Brien’s life in recent years. His son died, tragically, and his mother passed away. Both deaths had  a very big effect on him. He is very fond of his family and deeply interested in the lives of his children. In September 2022 there was a dispute involving his son and the Maughan family and he foolishly got involved in it. 

“As I say, his family means a massive amount to him. He loves his children very much and wants the best for them. 

“He deeply regrets this incident. Thankfully the two families are back on okay terms once again; there is no  quarrelling between them anymore,” he said. 

Judge Andrew Cody pointed out it was very fortunate the knife didn’t connect with Mr Maughan.

“This was a carpet knife and swinging it around in a  loose manner like this is very dangerous. I am convicting and sentencing to six months imprisonment, suspended for two years,” he said.

He convicted and fined Mr Maughan €400.