Ireland Probation bond for man who assaulted GAA club volunteer in Longford
On 11 June 2022, between about 5:15pm and 5:30pm, a group of youths assaulted Michael Hackett, a volunteer at Longford Slashers GAA club, at the club grounds in Longford town after he asked them to stop smashing glass bottles and leave the area. Gardaí found the group at a nearby park bench, and Mr Hackett identified Dion Higgins, who was 17 at the time, as the one who struck him above the eye. Higgins, now 19, was charged with assaulting Mr Hackett and pleaded guilty. Judge Patricia Cronin directed a 12-month probation bond under the supervision of Probation Services, and the Longford Leader reported the sentence on 29 June 2024, with compensation paid to the court poor box.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced26 Jun
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- One member of a group grabbed Michael Hackett while another young man struck him above the eye.
- Mr Hackett had a lump over his eye when gardaí arrived.
- Where
- The assault took place at Longford Slashers GAA grounds in Longford town.
- When
- The assault took place on 11 June 2022, between about 5:15pm and 5:30pm.
- Cause
- Mr Hackett, a club volunteer, had asked the group to stop smashing glass bottles and leave the area.
- Investigation
- Gardaí found the group at a nearby park bench, and Mr Hackett identified Dion Higgins as the one who struck him.
- Charges
- Dion Higgins was charged with assaulting Michael Hackett and pleaded guilty.
- In court
- Judge Patricia Cronin assessed a probation report and a victim impact statement.
- Sentence
- Judge Cronin directed a 12-month probation bond with supervision by Probation Services.
- Other details
- The court was told the victim's injury was not long lasting.
- Higgins had no previous convictions and was 17 at the time of the offence.
- A sum of compensation had been paid to the court poor box.
12 statements extracted from the articles
- whatOne of the group grabbed Mr Hackett and another young man struck him above the eye. (longfordleader.ie)
- whatThe victim had a lump over his eye when gardaí arrived. (longfordleader.ie)
- whereThe assault took place at Longford Slashers GAA grounds. (longfordleader.ie)
- whenThe assault took place on 11 June 2022. (longfordleader.ie)
- causeMr Hackett asked the group to stop smashing glass bottles and leave the area. (longfordleader.ie)
- investigationGardaí found the group at a park bench nearby, and Mr Hackett identified Mr Higgins as the one who struck him. (longfordleader.ie)
- chargeDion Higgins pleaded guilty to assaulting Michael Hackett. (longfordleader.ie)
- courtA probation report and a victim impact statement were assessed by Judge Patricia Cronin. (longfordleader.ie)
- sentenceJudge Cronin directed a 12-month probation bond with supervision by Probation Services. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherThe court was told the victim's injury was not long lasting. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherThe defendant had no previous convictions and was 17 at the time of the offence. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherA sum of compensation had been paid to the court poor box. (longfordleader.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 26 Jun2024Longford District Court: Probation Bond entered for GAA ground attacker
Court report on sentencing. The defendant pleaded guilty and was 17 at the time of the offence. He received a 12-month probation bond, and compensation had been paid to the court poor box.
convicted, Dion Higgins, 19, male, named, irish (judged from name)Dion Higginsvictim, Michael Hackett, male, irish (judged from name)Michael Hackett