Two men jailed for Ardara assault

Two men who attacked a man in his own home before his wife were ordered to jail today.
Glenties District Court heard that Gerard Colhoun, 26, and John Paul Connaghan, 30, started beating and kicking James Boyle, at his home in Ardconnell, Ardara, on November 1st last year, after they had been drinking steadily for up to three days.
Judge Seamus Hughes was told the men knew each other. Colhoun had met Boyle in prison.
The two defendants were trespassing in Boyle’s home when a row started over a debt that Colhoun owed him.
Inspector Sylvie Henry said both defendants started beating Boyle in front of his wife. Colhoun threatened that he would get “more of the same” if he reported the assault to gardai.
Colhoun, a father of three, of Gort na greine, Letterkenny, and Connaghan, also a father of three, of St Therese’s Terrace, Dunkineely, admitted the assault.
Defence solicitor Frank Dorrian said the two men called at the house expecting a warm reception as they knew Boyle but they actually received a negative reception. The solicitor said Colhoun accepted that he “brought this down” on Connaghan.
The men were said to have previous convictions for motoring, drink and public order offences. Colhoun, who was presently serving a 14-month sentence, also had convictions for theft, burglary and arson.
Colhoun was sentenced to 10 months to be added consecutively to his 14 months. Connaghan was sentenced to eight months. He was granted bail pending an appeal.