Man in court over referee assault in Roscommon

A man has appeared in court in Ballinasloe today charged with assaulting a referee at a GAA match in Roscommon last year.

40-year-old James Kenny with an address at Ballyforan, Roscommon was charged with assaulting Kevin Naughton at Ballyforan GAA grounds on August 31 last.

It is alleged that James Kenny entered the field in the second half of an under 17 GAA match and assaulted referee Kevin Naughton. Kenny is accused of a assault causing harm under Section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act

The State has agreed to the summary disposal of the case which means that evidence will be given by arresting officer Sergeant Mick O’Hara in the District Court.

The court heard that there was video footage of the incident and defending solicitor, Marie Mahon, indicated that there would be a plea of guilty in the matter.

Judge James Faughnan adjourned the case to a sitting of Ballinasloe District Court on June 22.