Pensioner stabbed punter over bet

A dispute over a betting docket led to a pensioner inflicting stab wounds on a fellow punter in a Limerick pub where they watched on television a horse they backed, Limerick Circuit Court heard.

Edwin (Eddie) Holman, aged 78, formerly of Main St, Hospital, Co Limerick, and now with an address in Castleconnell, yesterday pleaded guilty to assaulting William O’Brien, causing him harm, and to the unlawful production of a kitchen knife in a pub.

Mr O’Brien, aged 49, received a laceration to his liver when Holman stabbed him in Devane’s pub, in Hospital. Mr O’Brien spent seven days in hospital.

Sgt Ted Riordan said Holman and Mr O’Brien were among four punters drinking in Devane’s who had a bet at a bookmakers, which they thought was a winner.

A problem arose over the digits one and seven when the docket was produced at the bookies. No winnings were paid out, but the bookmaker gave back the stake placed on the horse.

Holman, however, felt aggrieved, believing Mr O’Brien had not returned him his share of the stake.

On Apr 13, 2012, having been to Devane’s, he began to brood over the bet money and went to his nearby home and got a knife. He had a lot of drink taken by this time.

On returning, he stabbed Mr O’Brien in the lower chest, lacerating his liver. Mr O’Brien also received a cut to the forehead.

Brian McInerney, defending, said it was an unusual case where a 78-year-old, who had never before been in trouble, was now in court on such a serious matter.

Judge Carroll Moran said Holman was fortunate not to be facing a homicide charge. Holman gave a sworn undertaking in court never to touch drink again.

Judge Moran imposed a three-year suspended sentence.