‘Bad blood’ in a Ballina family led to one cousin punching another in a fast-food restaurant after he ‘lost the head’ when he saw him.
Ciarán Durkan of Cullane, Ballina admitted punching Michael Durkin in the nose on July 18 last, resulting in his breaking his nose. Last week’s sitting of Ballina District Court heard that Michael Durkin was working in Supermac’s when he helped to separate people in a row.
When he was returning to his work, a man who turned out to be his cousin Ciarán Durkan punched him in the nose.
The court heard that there was recent bad blood within the family and Mr Durkan told gardaí that he ‘lost the head’ when he saw his cousin and punched him.
When Judge Mary Devins asked the victim if he had any view on what should happen to his cousin, he replied he did not want anything severe and hoped the family can come to an arrangement to settle the dispute.
Judge Devins said she would adjourn the sentence until November 27 to see if there could be any co-operation in the family.