A man who was punched to the back of the head, and then repeatedly kicked on the ground, only managed to escape when he stumbled into the doorway of a business, Galway District Court heard.

In imposing a seven-month suspended prison sentence on the defendant, Judge Mary Fahy said that it had been a very vicious assault, and would have been a lot worse if members of the public had not held him back.

Derek Rigney (30), with an address at 111 Castlepark, Ballybane, pleaded guilty to the serious assault at Cross Street on June 13 last year. The injured party had suffered a broken arm, and needed five stitches above his right eye.

Sergeant Paul Duane said that the incident took place at 3.15am, and that Rigney fled the scene after onlookers came to the aid of the injured man when he staggered in the door of Supermac’s.

He was subsequently arrested, however, and taken to Galway Garda Station.

Solicitor, Valerie Corcoran, told the court that her client had no previous convictions for assault, and was in full-time employment.

She said that he rarely went out drinking, as alcohol did not suit him, and that had been was a ‘history’ with the victim in this case.

“He is sorry that the victim suffered injuries, but something just went off when words or comments were made,” she said.

The solicitor offered €1,950 in compensation, which the injured party (36) was willing to accept.

The court heard that Rigney had 18 previous convictions, mainly for public order offences.

“He’s looking at a custodial sentence, of a reasonable length, but I want to be convinced that he won’t be before the court again,” the Judge told Ms Corcoran.

She replied that her client was currently in counselling to deal with anger management issues, along with the break-up of his parents’ relationship, alcohol abuse, and the loss of friends through suicide.

“He works hard, but alcohol doesn’t suit him,” she said.

“He is on the breadline, in relation to his income; he couldn’t get a bank loan, so he had to save (the compensation).”

The Judge imposed a seven-month sentence, which was suspended for two years on condition that he is of good behaviour during that period, and have no contact with the injured party or his family by any means.