An Armagh man who was involved in a mass brawl at Loughgall Football Club in January has been handed a suspended sentence for disorderly behaviour.
The 27-year-old’s solicitor revealed that a co-accused had been dealt with by way of caution but this disposal was not available to this defendant due to it being his sixth conviction for this type of offence.
Daniel Burney, of Orangefield Park, appeared for sentencing on the single charge at the city’s Magistrates’, sitting at Newry, on Tuesday.
Prosecution outlined that on January 25, at 9.30pm, police received a report of a number of males fighting at Loughgall Football Club.
Officers arrived and observed the defendant fighting another male in the car park of the football club.
Burney was subsequently arrested making no reply to caution, and when interviewed about the offence he also made no comment.
Defence solicitor John McAtamney stated: “The difficulty is his previous record. This is his sixth disorderly behaviour matter. He had hoped to have put this sort of behaviour behind him.
“In terms of this matter, I dealt with the co-accused. He was more involved in the incident but because he had no record he was dealt with by way of caution.”
He continued: “There was alcohol taken, there was banter between parties but this gradually deteriorated and got worse, leading to a melee.
“Mr Burney actually suffered bruised ribs and a black eye. There is medical evidence of this and he had to take a week of work.”
District Judge Eamonn King commented: “I see that you have a suspended sentence from back in 2011 and that is how I intend on dealing with you today.”
Burney was sentenced to four months in prison suspended for a period of two years.
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