Man who 'viciously' assaulted friend in front of child avoids jail

A 34-year-old man has received a two-year suspended sentence at Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court following his guilty plea to assault causing harm and possession of a weapon. The incident occurred at Cloonishlawn, Ballina, on 21 November 2023. The accused entered the victim's home and inflicted facial injuries including a deep cut around the eye through punching and headbutting. He subsequently produced a hammer…