Man escapes jail term for role in violent attack on GAA star

A LIMERICK GAA star received 28 stitches to his face following a violent street fracas nearly four years ago, a court has heard.

Evidence was heard that Limerick senior hurler Brian Geary was infused with two litres of fluid to replace the blood he lost from wounds suffered in the row.

At Limerick Circuit Court yesterday, Kieran Barry, aged 31, of Carew Park, Limerick, pleaded guilty to a charge of affray at Ellen Street, Limerick, in the early hours of April 1, 2001.

Insp Declan Mulcahy gave evidence that Mr Geary and two friends, Stephen Lavin and Jason Stokes, had been celebrating after playing in the Limerick U21 football championship victory over Tipperary.

After leaving a pub, they decided to go to The Market nightclub, but first went to a nearby ATM.

As they approached the junction of Patrick Street and Ellen Street, Mr Lavin was tripped by one of a group of four youths.

Mr Geary suffered a bloody nose after he was punched but defended himself and the youths left.

The footballers then tried to gain entry to McGregor’s Bar because they thought they would be refused entry to the nightclub as Mr Geary was bleeding.

However, a bouncer refused them entry to the bar and the four youths returned and attacked them, the court heard.

Mr Geary got a headbutt in the face and punches to the body but got away and ran to the Old Quarter bar.

Insp Mulcahy said this was an unprovoked attack and Mr Geary had claimed he heard one of the attackers say he had a knife, although he conceded he didn’t see a weapon.

Insp Mulcahy also told the court that there was no suggestion that the accused had inflicted the facial wounds to Mr Geary.

Mr Geary was treated in hospital for a 5cm-long deep wound from his ear to his cheek and a 3cm-long wound on his jaw, requiring a total of 28 stitches.

The court heard the accused came forward voluntarily.

In a statement, the accused said he left McGregor’s and saw up to three men whom he knew fighting with another group.

He said he tried to break up the row but got a few digs, so he retaliated.

He admitted he followed Mr Geary to the Old Quarter but stressed he used no weapon.

The court heard the accused had several previous convictions, including larceny and assault.

Passing sentence, Judge Carroll Moran said he took into account the accused’s guilty plea.

He imposed a 12-month sentence but suspended it on condition that he be bound to the peace for 12 months.