A school principal in Co Limerick was fined £50 at Abbeyfeale District Court yesterday for common assault on a 12-year-old pupil.
The case is believed to be the first of its kind in the State.
Laurence Begley (50) pleaded guilty to assaulting the boy at Mountcollins National School contrary to Section 2 of the Offences Against the Person (Non Fatal) Act.
A previous court had been told that the defendant had caught the boy by the side-locks, pulled his hair and struck him on the back of the head when he failed to answer a maths question on March 24th last. Mr Roibeard Pierse, defending solicitor, said Begley was a very active member of the local community. He was involved in improving the appearance of the village and in a drug-awareness project.
He told Judge Mary O'Halloran that his client was receiving counselling in relation to the incident and was suffering for this single act.
Mr Pierse added that Begley's job was uncertain and this was a very worrying prospect for a father of eight children who was the sole breadwinner. He said it was not a premeditated assault and his client had an umblemished record as teacher and principal.
The solicitor for the boy, Mr Maurice O'Sullivan, submitted that the incident was not an isolated one. The defendant did not help the situation by going around door to door with petitions which only helped to divide the community. His client had not received any apology and there was never any indication of remorse, he said.
Mr Pierse denied that his client petitioned the community.
Judge O'Halloran said it was a very unfortunate case for all concerned and had long-term consequences for both parties.
After the hearing Mr Tom O'Sullivan, the INTO national executive member for Limerick and Kerry said that Begley, who had expressed regret for the incident, now wished to rebuild his career and continue to give commitment to his school and community.