Barman injured by ‘Rambo’ attacker, Magherafelt Court told

Before the court was John Donaghy (32), of Glenelly Villas, Draperstown, who was handed an eight-month suspended jail sentence for assault and possessing an offensive weapon.

A prosecuting lawyer said Donaghy attacked the injured party while he sat in his car during an incident at Glenelly Villas on October 1 last year.

She said there had been a verbal exchange between the parties following which the defendant struck the injured party, who put up his left arm to defend himself.

The lawyer said the man got out of the vehicle and the fighting continued with the injured party on the ground.

She said the man alleged Donaghy kept striking him on the body with the wooden shank and tried to hit him on the chest while he lay on the ground.

The lawyer added that the defendant later called the police claiming that he had been attacked and had sustained a “sliced” finger.

Defence barrister Liam McStay said Donaghy’s mental health had not been good at the time of the incident.

Mr McStay said that since then defendant had received treatment in Holywell Hospital and had recovered sufficiently for release into the community.

He said there had been a “history of conflict” between the parties at the bar, but this did not explain the extreme and bizarre reaction of Donaghy who felt the injured party had no call to be outside his house.

Passing sentence, District Judge Alan White said Donaghy had no relevant record.

Mr White referred to the defendant’s mental health problems being addressed with a care programme in the community, and believed a period in custody would not be beneficial to his recovery.

He ordered Donaghy to pay £200 compensation to the injured party.