Judge tells A&E attack man: 'Jail or job'

A settled traveller who threw a chair at an accident and emergency doctor was today told by Judge Donagh McDonagh at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court: "It's jail or a job."

Martin McDonagh (aged 32) of Bawnlea Green, Tallaght, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to Dr Stephen Lynch at Tallaght Hospital on November 8, 2004.

Judge McDonagh ordered him last December to have "a permanent and meaningful job" and proof of employment before his sentence was finalised.

Mr Kieran Kelly BL, defending, today told Judge McDonagh that his client had secured employment with the Tallaght Travellers Youth Service.

Judge McDonagh imposed an 18-month sentence which he suspended for five years on condition that McDonagh stay in his current employment or get a better paid job during this period.

Garda Diane Swift told Marie Torrens BL, prosecuting, that Dr Lynch was sitting opposite McDonagh attempting to find out what happened him after he was brought into hospital by ambulance with cuts to his face.

Dr Lynch mentioned McDonagh's late mother's name during the conversation and the accused shouted: "What the f**k would you know?" before throwing the chair at the doctor.

It caught him on the right arm, right hand, chest, knee and hip leaving him with bruises and cuts.

McDonagh had four previous convictions for road traffic offences.

Gda Swift agreed with Mr Kelly BL, defending, that the mention of his client's mother's name was "the catalyst to the assault".

She accepted that the doctor's injuries did not inhibit him from continuing with his career and that it appeared to be a once-off incident as McDonagh did not have a history of violence.

Mr Kelly told Judge McDonagh that his client's mother's death was still "active in his mind" and he reacted to the mention of her name.

He had six children and his wife was expecting another baby early next year.