Man assaulted victim outside the Spirit Store in Dundalk

A 27-year-old man who was involved in an assault outside a local music venue, had used alcohol to cope with the horrors he had seen in a fatal road crash, his barrister told Dundalk district court last week.

Graham Cairns of Racecourse Road, Dundalk was under a bond to be of good behaviour at the time.

The court heard the victim was sitting at a table outside the Spirit Store on George's Quay, on August 4th 2023, when it was closed, and was surrounded by three men who were looking for drink.

He said he couldn't get them any and he was punched in the face by the defendant.

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The two other men at the time did not get involved in the assault.

The court heard Graham Cairns had one previous conviction for assault causing harm in January 2022 for which he was placed under a 12 month peace bond in March 2023.

On hearing this, Judge Stephanie Coggans noted: "So he was five months into the peace bond".

The Defence barrister told the court his client had been involved in a collision involving “several fatalities” and used alcohol to cope with the horrors that he had seen.

He added he had €500 in court for the injured party.

The lawyer said that alcohol was an issue for his client. He no longer drinks, is no longer involved with the peer group he associated with then, and is now in a relationship.

He's the father of two children and "another is on the way".

Judge Coggans placed him under a two year bond to be of good behaviour adding "I want it adhered to this time".