Man fined after attack

A man who attacked a woman after putting his hand up her skirt and touching her after a party for his grandson’s first communion has been fined €1,000.

Shaun Coyle, 66, attacked Olive Allen as they were socialising in a Co Donegal bar. Ms Allen had been having a drink with her boyfriend when Coyle approached the couple in a drunken state in the Carraig Inn in Carrigans. Coyle initially slapped Ms Allen in the back and said he could have both of them shot dead.

They made friends later and he bought Ms Allen and her boyfriend Robert Cole a drink.

Coyle returned later in the evening and began chatting to the couple again telling Ms Allen that if he was 30 years younger he would fancy his chances with her.

Mr Cole left to have a smoke outside and a row ensued between Ms Allen and Coyle.

Coyle, a fisherman from Castletown, St Johnston, then put his hand up Ms Allen’s short skirt and a fight ensued. Ms Allen, 46, of Transallagh, St Johnston, kicked Coyle in the stomach and then threw a bottle at him.

Coyle and Ms Allen appeared at Letterkenny District Court yesterday charged with assaulting each other on May 17, 2014. Pictures of Ms Allen and Coyle’s injuries after the fight were produced in court.

Giving her evidence Ms Allen, who was sobbing in the witness box said: “He put his hand up my skirt and he should not have.

“He touched my privates and he just can’t do that. I fought back but he was clawing my face.”

Coyledenied he ever put his hand up her skirt and touched her inappropriately. He said “No I did not. I put no hand up no skirt”.

Judge James Faughnan said Ms Allen’s injuries were self evident and nasty.

He and fined Coyle €1,000.