Ireland Kilcormac man pleads guilty to assault causing harm at Midland Bar, must pay compensation and apologise
On 19 March 2022 at the Midland Bar in Kilcormac, County Offaly, 22-year-old Cathal Kiely was charged with assaulting Artur Rugkowski, a man, after CCTV showed Kiely punching him in the face before leaving him on the ground. Kiely pleaded guilty to assault causing harm at Tullamore Circuit Court, and the case was reported on 12 December 2023. The judge put the case back to 19 March 2024 to allow Kiely to pay €5,000 compensation and make an apology, and said he would apply the Probation of Offenders Act if both were done. The latest development is that the case was adjourned on these conditions, and no final sentence has yet been imposed.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Convicted12 Dec
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Cathal Kiely pleaded guilty to assault causing harm against Artur Rugkowski.
- Where
- The assault took place at the Midland Bar in Kilcormac, County Offaly.
- When
- The assault took place on 19 March 2022.
- Investigation
- CCTV showed Kiely punching the victim in the face before leaving him lying on the ground.
- Other CCTV footage showed two men dragging the victim outside the pub.
- Other details
- In a victim impact statement, Mr Rugkowski said he woke up lying on gravel outside the pub with a swollen, bloody mouth and did not know how he was injured.
- Kiely said he hit the victim out of fear.
- Kiely had one previous conviction for dangerous driving, reduced to careless driving.
- Kiely earns €350 per week as an apprentice electrician.
- In court
- The judge noted that Kiely had not made any formal apology to the victim.
- Sentence
- The judge said the maximum sentence is 5 years and that he would reduce it to one year.
- Kiely was remanded on bail to 19 March 2024 and must pay €5,000 compensation and apologise by then.
- The judge said he would apply the Probation of Offenders Act if the compensation and apology are made.
12 statements extracted from the articles
- whatCathal Kiely pleaded guilty to assault causing harm. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whereThe assault took place at the Midland Bar, Kilcormac. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whenThe assault took place on 19 March 2022. (offalyexpress.ie)
- investigationCCTV showed Kiely punching the victim in the face before leaving him lying on the ground. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThe judge noted Kiely had not made any formal apology to the victim. (offalyexpress.ie)
- sentenceThe judge said the maximum sentence is 5 years and he would reduce it to one year. (offalyexpress.ie)
- sentenceKiely was remanded on bail to 19 March 2024 and must have €5,000 compensation and an apology by then. (offalyexpress.ie)
- sentenceThe judge said he would apply the probation of the offenders act if the compensation and apology are made. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherOther CCTV footage showed two men dragging the victim outside the pub. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherKiely said he hit the victim out of fear. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherKiely had one previous conviction for dangerous driving, reduced to careless driving. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherKiely earns €350 per week as an apprentice electrician. (offalyexpress.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 12 Dec2023Offaly man convicted of assault causing harm must pay compensation and apologise to the victim court
Reports the guilty plea at Tullamore Circuit Court, CCTV evidence, the defendant's explanation, and the adjournment with conditions for compensation, apology and probation.
convicted, Cathal Kiely, 22, male, named, irish (judged from name)Cathal Kielyvictim, Artur Rugkowski, male, non-irish (judged from name)Artur Rugkowski