Man assaulted woman in a pub in Laois

A man admitted assaulting a woman in a bar in Portlaoise. 

Conor Sergeant (23) of 37 Cosby Avenue, Faigreen, Portlaoise pleaded guilty to assault causing harm at Vibes Bar, Main Street Portlaoise on January 27, 2024. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby handed in a victim impact report from the woman which wasn’t read aloud in court. 

Judge Nicola Andrews noted the content of the report and a report from the probation services. She said the man “had engaged well” with probation services and completed a course as directed. 

Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said her client had brought €1,000 to court for the victim. 

Judge Andrews ordered that the money be given to the victim and she said that while it wouldn’t make amends “for what she suffered” it would go some way towards it. 

Ms Fitzpatrick said her client was on illness benefit and the money wasn’t easy to come by. He went to family and friends to gather it up, she told the sitting of Portlaoise District Court. 

Judge Andrews noted his engagement with the probation services, the fact he had completed an anger management course and that he had brought €1,000 to court. She ordered that the €1,000 be given to the victim and applied the probation act.