Assaulted man who has since gone missing

A 46-year-old man from Kilcock appeared in court on a charge of assaulting another man who has since been reported missing.

Vincent Fanning of Millgate, Millerstown, pleaded guilty at Trim District Court to assaulting Mark Duffy with intent to cause him bodily harm at a car park at St Mary’s Credit Union, Kennedy Road, Navan.

He was given a two month prison sentence which was suspended for 12 months for the offence which occurred on 20th September 2022.

CCTV footage of the incident was shown at Trim courthouse on Thursday in which the defendant allegedly twice punched Mark Duffy in the face. The defendant subsequently was arrested and made admissions and that the assault was over a debt which was owed to him, the court heard.

Detective Garda Paul Cullen who investigated the matter, said the defendant identified himself on the footage and admitted assaulting the injured party.

The detective told Judge Eirinn McKiernan that the injured party was a missing person when questioned why he was not in court.

Defence barrister James O’Brien pointed out the defendant’s admission was of huge significance. The Gardai would have had difficulty in prosecuting the case.

He also pointed out that it was in 2012 the defendant had a conviction recorded for assault for which he received a suspended sentence.

Court presenter Sergeant Declan Brady said that the defendant had a total of 26 previous convictions.