A hurler who thumped an opponent and broke his jaw has been given the Probation Act by Judge Joseph Mathews at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Philip Dwyer's victim, Mr Darragh Hyland of the Round Towers Club, Clondalkin, wanted the case withdrawn but the Director of Public Prosecutions insisted on it going ahead, the court heard. Both men had been fully reconciled and Mr Hyland accepted financial compensation, Mr Hugh Hartnett, defending, said. The accused had never come to the notice of gardai before the incident or since.
Dwyer, of Old Court Manor, Tallaght, pleaded guilty to assaulting Mr Hyland during an intermediate hurling game between his club, Faughs and Round Towers on April 14th, 1996. Judge Mathews said Dwyer should leave the court without a stain on his previous blameless character by having the Probation Act applied.