A St. Patrick’s Day assault at a bar in Derrygonnelly has resulted in Community Service for a 31-year-old man.

Paul Michael McGowan with an address of Upper Drumcose, Enniskillen was found guilty of common assault at Fermanagh Magistrates Court on Wednesday for headbutting another male at the Old Pal’s Bar in the village on March 17, 2018.

The court heard that at around 10pm on the night in question the assault took place on the injured party. McGowan attended a police station voluntarily after he was named by a witness.

The 31 year old was alleged to have headbutted the injured party to the mouth which resulted in a “fat lip”. CCTV obtained shows the incident and the defendant accepted his role in the incident.

Defending barrister for McGowan, Stefan Rafferty gave some context to the incident during his submissions. He told the court that the incident took place on St. Patrick’s Day when one might expect a considerable amount of alcohol to be consumed.

The complainant had been in the bar since 3pm, with the incident happening at 10pm.

Mr. Rafferty told the court that evidence from the case shows that the injured party had consumed a considerable amount of alcohol and had little recollection of anything after 6.30pm with him only realising what had happened when he spoke to friends the next day.

He continued that the injured party was not known to McGowan but had been bumping into him and making unnecessary and unpleasant comments which finally resulted in the defendant losing his tether.

Mr. Rafferty told the court that his client fully accepts that he should not have done it and was regretful for the incident.

District Judge Michael Ranaghan concluded by ordering McGowan to carry out 100 hours of Community Service and to pay a fine of £150.