Man who assaulted ex-soldier has nine months of sentence suspended

A Longford man jailed for five years for an unprovoked attack on an ex-soldier, who died shortly afterwards, has succeeded in having nine months of his sentence suspended on appeal.

Martin McDonagh (aged 26) of Mostrim Oaks, Edgeworthstown, was unlawfully at large from Castlerea prison when he attacked Noel Keegan (aged 58) and his wife Marie Keegan in Longford town on New Year’s Eve 2009.