Coalisland roofer who got drunk on ‘fireballs’ assaulted neighbours, court told

A ROOFER who got drunk on ‘fireballs’ before attacking three neighbours, punching one several times to the head and biting his thumb when he put him in a headlock, was handed a four-month jail sentence, suspended for 18 months, at Dungannon Magistrates Court.

Prosecuting counsel said the three injured parties reported to police that the defendant had been ringing their door bell at ten o’clock on July 5 last and when it was answered by one of the complainant’s he pushed himself towards her making her fear for her safety, while a male pushed him back.

Thirty-eight-year-old Conor Joseph Lavery, of Millview Meadow, Coalisland, pleaded guilty to three charges of common assault arising out of the incident.

Counsel said Lavery came back and grabbed and pulled one of the victims into the house where he punched him to the head.

The injured party put him in a headlock and the defendant bit him on the thumb, said counsel who added that Lavery lunged at another victim and punched him causing him to fall to the ground.

When interviewed by the police he made no comment, but later said he had been drinking alcohol and wished to apologise to all three victims.

A defence lawyer said the defendant appeared in court with his mother and he accepted that this was disgusting behaviour.

He explained that Lavery’s main issue was drink and he made full admissions to taking too much alcohol and blacking out prior to getting into a “wrestling match” with the neighbours.

The lawyer said the defendant had been off drink for eight months and had been drinking ‘fireballs’. He added that he has not been drinking since the incident, and does not put any blame on the victims.

District Judge Francis Rafferty, who ordered Lavery to pay each of his victims £300 compensation, said the defendant has not been before the court for 13 years and can offer no explanation for his behaviour.

He stressed people have a right to live quietly and peacefully in their homes. The judge accepted it was aberrant behaviour on the part of the defendant and he took his apology as sincere.