A decide has convicted controversial horse racing determine, Stephen Mahon of assaulting a farmer with a horse whip.
t Gort District Courtroom on Thursday, Decide Mary Larkin convicted the ex-horse coach of the assault inflicting hurt of farmer, John Hughes on a County Galway boreen in October 2020.
Decide Larkin additionally convicted Mr Mahon of manufacturing a horse whip in the midst of a dispute which was able to inflicting severe harm and more likely to intimidate one other on October thirteenth 2020 on the similar location at Newtown, Kilcolgan, Co Galway.
That cost is opposite to Part 11 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act.
The court docket was instructed that there was “unhealthy blood’ between 53 yr previous father of two Mr Mahon and Mr Hughes arising from a 2014 incident involving the 2.
In June of final yr, Mr Mahon previously of The Ranch, Kilcolgan, County Galway however now dwelling in Co Meath was given the longest ban at 4 years ever handed out to a coach in Eire for breach of animal welfare guidelines.
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) ban imposed was lowered by six months on enchantment in September of final yr.
Within the case earlier than Gort District Courtroom, Mr Hughes instructed the court docket that on October thirteenth 2020 on his manner again from herding cattle, Mr Mahon handed him on a horse on a boreen on Mr Mahon’s approach to the best way to the gallops
Mr Hughes stated: “Mr Mahon went on six or seven yards and stated what the f**ok are you laughing at. He bought down off his horse and requested what are you smiling at.
“He then left fly and hit me with the whip on the left hand facet of the face just below my eye.”
Mr Hughes said that the whip was 18 inches lengthy and Mr Mahon hit him with the ball finish of the whip. The whip with the purple ball high was produced as a Garda exhibit in court docket.
Mr Hughes said that Mr Mahon “then swung a second time. I put my hand as much as defend myself and he bought me on the knuckle and the left hand facet of the face.
He added: “I then rushed him. My eye was weeping like hell at this stage. I pushed him towards the gate and in doing so knocked a few stones off a pillar.”
Mr Hughes stated that “there was a little bit of a wrestle” and Mr Mahon bought free and kicked out at him twice.
Mr Hughes stated that he has been left with a scar from a whip blow and identified the scar on his face to Decide Larkin.
Mr Hughes stated that he has not spoken to Mr Mahon since 2014 and agreed that there was ‘unhealthy blood’ between himself and Mr Mahon.
Mr Mahon denied that he assaulted Mr Hughes and in proof alleged that Mr Hughes threw two rocks at him on the location.
To find Mr Mahon responsible of the 2 offences, Decide Larkin stated that it isn’t a case of 1 man’s phrase towards one other.
Decide Larkin stated: “There’s additionally the proof of the accidents to Mr Hughes. They have been seen by Garda Phil O Donoghue on the day and they’re in step with Mr Hughes’s proof.
Decide Larkin stated: “I’m happy that the incident did happen as described by Mr Hughes. I discovered him to be a reputable witness and I discovered Mr Mahon to be imprecise and probably ingenious in relation to what he stated in regards to the incident.”
Counsel for Mr Mahon, Ernest White BL instructed Decide Larkin stated that Mr Mahon “is an ex horse coach as it’s possible you’ll properly know. He has misplaced his licence and he tells me his life has been turned the wrong way up over the previous yr with the lack of his licence and his livelihood”.
Mr White stated that Mr Mahon has two kids aged 7 and 11 and has moved again to Meath and is making an attempt to get some work within the horse enterprise.
Insp Brian Boland of Loughrea Garda Station instructed the court docket that Mr Mahon has 14 earlier convictions however none relate to assault or public order. Insp Boland stated that six relate to the Management of Canine Act with the rest referring to highway site visitors issues.
Mr White stated that there was no additional incidents between the 2 males since October 2020.
Decide Larkin stated that she would adjourn sentencing to permit Mr Hughes present a sufferer influence assertion to court docket.
Decide Larkin stated: “I’d have an interest to know what the views of the injured celebration are and does he imagine that that is all water below the bridge.”
Decide Larkin adjourned the case to October twenty seventh for sentence.