Doorman floored by punch from man on 'sten' party

Security guard, Richard Culkin, told Galway District Court he was lucky the attack happened during that particular week, as proper glasses were not allowed outside and there were only plastic glasses scattered on the ground where he fell.

He suffered a swollen jaw and neck on the night and later headaches which have eased, he said.

Plunkett McVeigh (43), with an address in County Tyrone, pleaded guilty to assaulting Mr Culkin outside the King’s Head, High Street on August 4.

The court heard Mr Culkin and a colleague were working at the that night when they got a call to go upstairs where a man was causing a disturbance,

McVeigh agreed to go downstairs with the security men and leave the premises. Once outside, he shook hand with them and walked across the street.

Ten minutes later, he reappeared at the doorway and punched Mr Culkin without warning into the jaw. The security man fell backwards, hitting his head off the ground.

Defence solicitor, Olivia Traynor, said her client and his wife had been part of a large group who travelled to Galway for a combined hen and stag party, known as a ‘sten’.

She said he was deeply apologetic for his drunken behaviour on the night and had brought €1,000 to court for the victim.

Mr Culkin said he would accept the compensation and McVeigh’s apology as well.

Judge Mary Fahy convicted and fined McVeigh €750 for the assault and directed the €1,000 be paid over to Mr Culkin along with €500 in bail money which the accused lodged in court in August.