Father guilty of attacking principal

A parent of two school children has been found guilty of assaulting a school principal at a Clare primary school.

Liam Woulfe, principal of two-teacher Labasheeda National School, suffered two black eyes, a swollen nose, and a broken tooth after being attacked by Martin Tubridy, aged 55.

The court heard that Tubridy, of Quarry Vale House, Mountshannon, Labasheeda, punched Mr Woulfe in the face on Dec 9 after coming to see him over an incident involving an 8-year-old boy.

In evidence, Mr Woulfe told the court Tubridy said: “You have been at my son all week.”

Mr Woulfe said he told Tubridy he could not deal with him immediately as he was with another parent, and suggested arranging a meeting at a further date.

Mr Woulfe said he was then punched in the face by Tubridy.

Another parent, Caroline O’Shea, who was talking to Mr Woulfe at the time, said she saw Tubridy strike Mr Woulfe in the face.

The court heard that, since the attack, the Tub-ridys have taken their two children out of the school.

The case was adjourned for one hour in an effort to resolve issues. Then Supt Gerry Wall said hands had been shaken and Tubridy apologised to Mr Woulfe.

Supt Wall and Pat Moylan, solicitor for Tubridy, said the Bishop of Killaloe and school patron Dr Kieran O’Reilly would be approached to allow mediation between the sides.

Judge Durcan adjourned the case to April 9 to see how talks progress and ordered Tubridy to pay €400 in expenses.