Louth man guilty of assault turned to drink after he ‘saw the horrors’ of fatal traffic accident

By Francis Carroll, The Drogheda Independent

A 27-year-old man who punched another male in the face outside a Dundalk pub turned to drink after being involved in a fatal traffic accident, the district court has heard.

Graham Cairns, Racecourse Road, Dundalk, pleaded guilty to an assault summons following an incident which occurred at George’s Quay on August 4, 2023.

Counsel said that the defendant “saw the horrors” when passenger in a car involved in a fatal road traffic collision in 2021 and turned to alcohol.

Court presenter Sgt Richie Browne said the victim was sitting at a table outside The Spirit Store which was closed when three males surrounded him and asked for alcohol.

He replied that he couldn’t get them any. Mr Cairns punched him in the face. His two companions did not get involved.

A Victim Impact Statement had been canvassed.

Sgt Browne continued that this offence occurred five months after the defendant entered a 12-month peace bond on a charge of Section 3 assault causing harm.

Barrister Niall Mackin, instructed by solicitor James MacGuill, said that Mr Cairns was apologetic and remorseful.

He was no longer in that peer group and had stopped drinking. He was in a relationship. A third child was on the way.

There was €500 compensation for the injured party.

Judge Stephanie Coggans put Mr Cairns on a two-year peace bond, saying that she wanted it adhered to this time.

Legal aid was granted and the court also certified for counsel.