Soccer player is jailed over punch

A soccer player has been sentenced to nine months in prison for fracturing an opponent’s eye socket in three places in a single punch assault during a match.

Passing sentence this week on father of four, Daniel Donovan (37), of 98 River Oaks, Claregalway, Judge Mary Fahy became angry on hearing he had made no effort to pay ‘a single penny’ of compensation to the victim – but yet he was able to lodge €900 cash in court to secure his release from custody pending appeal of the sentence imposed.

Donovan had pleaded guilty before Galway District Court two weeks ago to assaulting Eoin Scully, causing him harm at East United Football Club, Castle Park, Galway, on February 20 last.

Judge Mary Fahy said she wanted to speak to Mr Scully before finalising sentence and the matter was adjourned to this week’s court for Mr Scully to attend.

Sergeant Finbarr Philpott told the court two weeks ago that a row broke out during a soccer match between Claregalway and Oughterard, and Donovan punched the injured party once into the face, causing injury to his eye socket area.

Reading from a medical report, which was handed into court at the time, Sgt. Philpott said a single punch had been thrown by the accused when tensions rose during the match.

Mr Scully was on the Oughterard team, while Donovan had been playing for Claregalway.

The Judge granted leave to appeal on condition half of €1,800 in cash was lodged in court – and a short time later a relative of Donovan’s came to court and lodged €900 cash to secure his release pending his appeal to a higher court.

See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune