Killarney District Court yesterday heard how a highly respected school principal was assaulted in his own home by an irate parent and former pupil.
Judge James O'Connor awarded the teacher €2,000 in compensation and €500 for expenses and adjourned the matter to September for payment.
Barraduff National School principal Con A Williams was at home in Brewsterfield, Killarney, on October 7th, 2005, when Peter Kelly, a self-employed carpenter and father of two, of Shronedgaugh, Headford, Killarney, arrived.
Mr Kelly said to him: "What did you say to my wife today, you f**ker?"
Mr Kelly struck Mr Williams on the arm and chest and pushed him against the wall. He continued to verbally abuse the teacher. Mr Williams's son called the Garda, Insp Barry O'Rourke, prosecuting, outlined.
That morning, Mr Williams had spoken to Mr Kelly's wife about the attendance of their daughter at school. Subsequently, the wife came back and said her husband wanted to talk to him.
However, Mr Williams had an appointment and could not see him, Insp O'Rourke said.
Mr Kelly's solicitor, Liam Coghlan, said his client acknowledged what he had done was a serious offence, as Mr Williams was a public servant. The assault was not premeditated.
Mrs Kelly had met the teacher that morning and expressed concerns about the progress of one of their children. A discussion ensued that had made Mrs Kelly unhappy and she went to see the school manager, the local parish priest. She told her husband and he lost his temper.
Instead of leaving it with the parish priest, "he rashly determined to deal with it", said Mr Coghlan. The facts were not disputed, but his client perceived what had happened as an attack on his family.
Mr Kelly was extremely remorseful. He had shaken hands with Mr Williams before the court.
Mr Williams's solicitor Pádraig O'Connell said money was not the issue as Mr Williams would be donating any compensation to the court poor box. The issue was to do with Mr Williams's standing in the community as a headmaster.