Psych report ordered in coercion case

A judge has ordered that a psychological report be prepared on a 57-year-old Tipperary man who pleaded guilty to the attempted coercion of the former president of Muintir na Tíre, Martin Quinn.

Peter McGrath of Barronstown, Tipperary, appeared before Clonmel Circuit Court yesterday where he was due to be sentenced. However, when the case was called, counsel for the defence, Elizabeth Jane Walsh, BL, requested that the matter be adjourned to allow for the preparation of a psychological report on the accused.

Last December, McGrath pleaded guilty to a charge of attempting to coerce Martin Quinn, aged 52, at his home on Fr Matthew Street, Tipperary town, on Dec 23, 2009, contrary to section 9 of the Non Fatal Offences Against the State Act.

A preliminary hearing at Tipperary District Court last year, heard McGrath called to Mr Quinn’s home and presented a fake photo of the 52-year-old beside a semi-naked young female.

A former president of Muintir na Tíre, Martin Quinn is involved in a number of community organisations including the West Tipperary Mental Health Association and the Tipperary International Peace Award, whose latest recipient was Pakistani school girl Malla Yousafzai.

He is also a former chairman of a project to restore the Tipperary workhouse. It closed uncompleted in May, 2010.

The father of two was in court yesterday accompanied by his family and a large number of supporters.

Counsel for the State David Humphries said the injured party was anxious to see the matter finalised and had not been given notice that there was going to be an application for a further adjournment.

Judge Tom Teehan agreed to allow the application for a psychological report and ordered it be carried out by the defendant’s family GP.

Judge Teehan adjourned the case for sentencing to the next session of Clonmel Circuit Court in April.

Peter McGrath was accompanied in court yesterday by his wife Carmel.