Jail for Westport man who smashed pub window

A WESTPORT man who threw a pint glass at a publican before smashing the front window of his pub was sentenced to three months in prison.
Danny Ring of 13, Cloonmonad Close, The Quay, Westport, pleaded guilty to assault and criminal damage following an incident in O’Mara’s Pub on the Octogan in Westport on February 7, 2016.
Mr Ring, who has 34 previous convictions, appeared before Westport District Court which heard the incident occurred after he had been drinking in the pub.
Judge Mary Devins was informed that he got into a verbal argument with the publican, Pat O’Mara, and threw a pint glass at Mr O’Mara, which he avoided by ducking. Mr Ring was ejected from the pub by Mr O’Mara and some other customers.
When he was outside, he picked up a stool which was part of outdoor furniture and threw it at the front window and smashed it.
When gardaí arrived at the scene at approximately 7.45pm, Mr Ring had left the scene but soon reappeared and lunged at Mr O’Mara. The court heard he was extremely intoxicated and aggressive and was arrested.
His solicitor James Ward said that Mr Ring had been drinking for much of the afternoon and a comment about his family triggered the altercation. He said this did not take from his behaviour and he had offered to pay compensation following the event but this was denied.
Mr Ward said alcohol has always been the main factor in his behaviour and added he has become a father in the last three months.
Judge Devins was informed that Mr Ring has been in custody on remand pending a trial since September after he was arrested for a separate offence in a different district. She was informed he was denied bail in the High Court.
Judge Devins sentenced Mr Ring to three months imprisonment for the charge of criminal damage but backdated the sentence to September 1, 2016. He also received a three month sentence for assault which was to run concurrently.
Judge Devins ordered him to pay €300 in compensation and fined him a total of €500.