Man avoids prison for assault

A man found guilty of attacking his late uncle’s tenant farmer has been spared a criminal conviction and a possible jail sentence.

Patrick Keegan, aged 46, of College Lands, Newcastle, Co Dublin, had denied assaulting Brendan Reilly, at Stoneypark, Rathcoole, on December 8, 2012. At his trial at Dublin District Court, Keegan, who had no previous criminal convictions, was found guilty by Judge Ann Ryan, who added that the victim, Mr Reilly, may have embellished his evidence.

The judge applied the Probation Offenders Act, sparing Keegan a criminal record and a possible sentence.