Ireland GAA player sentenced for assault in Letterkenny
During a Gaelic football match in Convoy on 18 August 2017, Michael Friel, 25, of Keshends, Newtowncunningham, tackled Laurence McMullan, causing a 7-centimetre laceration to his scrotum that required eight stitches. McMullan was playing for St Mary's against Naomh Colmcille and played on for the final six minutes before realising he was bleeding. Friel, a teacher with no previous convictions, was charged with assault causing harm and pleaded guilty at Letterkenny District Court. On 27 February 2023, Judge Éiteáin Cunningham sentenced Friel to three months in prison, suspended for 12 months, with a section 99 bond requiring him to serve the term if he reoffended.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court7 Feb
- Convicted14 Mar
- Sentenced13 Mar
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- During a Gaelic football match in Convoy on 18 August 2017, Michael Friel tackled Laurence McMullan, causing a 7-centimetre laceration to his scrotum requiring eight stitches.
- McMullan was playing for St Mary's against Naomh Colmcille and played on for the final six minutes before realising he was bleeding.
- Friel is a 25-year-old teacher from Keshends, Newtowncunningham, with no previous convictions.
- Where
- The incident occurred in Convoy, Co Donegal, and McMullan received medical treatment at Letterkenny University Hospital.
- When
- The incident occurred on 18 August 2017.
- Charges
- Friel was charged with assault causing harm to Laurence McMullan.
- In court
- Friel pleaded guilty at Letterkenny District Court, where Judge Éiteáin Cunningham reviewed video footage and found the tackle was reckless and fell outside what McMullan had explicitly consented to.
- Sentence
- On 27 February 2023, Friel was sentenced to three months in prison, suspended for 12 months, with a section 99 bond.
- Other details
- The Probation Service deemed Friel a low risk of reoffending.
- McMullan considered retiring from the sport but returned to play in a championship semi-final as a substitute six weeks later.
33 statements extracted from the articles
- whatFriel is 25 years old and lives in Millview, Keshends, Newtowncunningham. (donegallive.ie)
- whatMcMullan sustained a 7-centimetre laceration to his scrotum requiring eight stitches. (donegallive.ie)
- whatMcMullan played on for the last six minutes of the game before realising he was bleeding. (donegallive.ie)
- whatFriel is a teacher. (rte.ie)
- whatMcMullan was playing for St Mary's against Naomh Colmcille. (rte.ie)
- whatMcMullan suffered a tear to his scrotum requiring eight stitches. (rte.ie)
- whatMcMullan considered retiring from the sport after the incident. (rte.ie)
- whatMcMullan returned to play in a championship semi-final as a substitute six weeks later. (rte.ie)
- whatFriel had no previous convictions. (rte.ie)
- whatThe Probation Service deemed Friel a low risk of reoffending. (rte.ie)
- whatThe assault involved ripping the scrotum of an opponent. (extra.ie)
- whereMcMullan received medical treatment at Letterkenny University Hospital. (donegallive.ie)
- whereFriel is from Keshends, Newtowncunningham. (rte.ie)
- whenThe incident occurred on 18 August 2017 in Convoy. (donegallive.ie)
- whenThe incident occurred during a game in Convoy on 18 August 2017. (rte.ie)
- whenThe incident occurred during a match. (extra.ie)
- chargeHe was charged with assault causing harm to Laurence McMullan. (rte.ie)
- courtJudge Éiteáin Cunningham adjourned the matter until 27 February 2023. (donegallive.ie)
- courtJudge Cunningham said it was a reckless tackle causing harm. (donegallive.ie)
- courtFriel was sentenced at Letterkenny District Court. (rte.ie)
- courtJudge Éiteáin Cunningham presided over the sentencing. (rte.ie)
- courtFriel pleaded guilty. (rte.ie)
- courtPeter Nolan was the barrister for Friel. (rte.ie)
- courtThe judge reviewed video footage of the game. (rte.ie)
- courtThe judge said the incident fell outside what McMullan had explicitly consented to. (rte.ie)
- courtA GAA player was found guilty of assault. (extra.ie)
- sentenceHe was given a three-month suspended sentence. (rte.ie)
- sentenceThe sentence was three months in prison, suspended for 12 months. (rte.ie)
- sentenceThe judge issued a section 99 bond meaning Friel would be sent to prison for three months if he appeared in court again within 12 months. (rte.ie)
- otherThe victim impact statement and probation report were submitted to the court on Tuesday morning. (donegallive.ie)
- otherFriel's barrister Peter Nolan, instructed by solicitor Frank Dorrian, applied for the case to be dismissed. (donegallive.ie)
- otherFriel previously acknowledged causing the injury but stressed it was unintentional. (donegallive.ie)
- otherFriel sent McMullan a text message to apologise the day after the game. (donegallive.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 14 Mar2023GAA Player Guilty Of Assault After Ripping Scrotum Of Opponent During Match
Reports the conviction of a GAA player for assault committed during a match.
convictedvictim, male - 13 Mar2023GAA player gets suspended sentence for on-field assault
Reports the sentencing of Michael Friel for an on-field assault during a 2017 GAA match, including the victim impact statement and the judge's reasoning.
victim, Laurence McMullan, male, irish (judged from name)Laurence McMullanconvicted, Michael Friel, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Friel - 7 Feb2023Man who suffered torn scrotum in Gaelic football match to address court
Reports the adjournment of Friel's sentencing to 27 February 2023, details of the 7cm scrotal laceration requiring 8 stitches, Judge Cunningham's finding that the tackle was reckless and outside the rules of Gaelic football, and Friel's defence that the incident was unintentional and 'part and parcel' of the game.
victim, Laurence McMullan, male, irish (judged from name)Laurence McMullansuspect, Michael Friel, 25, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Friel