Homeless man jailed punching Mayor of Galway

A man who punched the Mayor of Galway in the face has been given a five-month prison sentence.

Galway District Court heard Martin Ward – with an address at the Cope Day Centre – apologised to Cllr Niall McNelis for assaulting him on Wolfe Tone Bridge on September 7 last.

On that evening, the Mayor had noticed Ward having an argument with a woman, he (the Mayor) intervened, but got a punch in the face for his trouble.

The Mayor was being ‘a Good Samaritan’, said Sergeant Finbarr Philpott, prosecuting.

Garda Garrett Gallagher said the Mayor did not want to come to Court to give evidence, but did express surprise that something like this could happen in Galway.

Judge Mary Fahy said that anyone going to the aid of a person might expect a ‘mind your own business’ comment but hardly a single punch in the face, adding it was the last thing you’d expect.

Seán Acton, defending, said his client’s life was “a tragic case” and that the man was practically institutionalised. He said Ward found himself homeless anytime he came out of prison and in fact started serving a five-month prison sentence in October for another offence.

Ward had an issue with alcohol and become abusive and aggressive under the influence, though Mr Acton added he never saw that side of his client.

Judge Fahy said what happened to Mr McNelis was unfortunate but his action on the night showed “a level of decency”.

The Court further heard that Ward had been in breach of the Public Order the previous Friday night, had continued drinking through Saturday and then assaulted the Mayor that night.

Ward was given a five-month prison sentence backdated to October 5 for the assault, to run consecutively to his existing sentence. He was given a further one-month sentence for being in breach of the Public Order to run concurrently as well as a €100 fine.