A former local councillor has been given the probation act after pleading guilty to assaulting a young woman at his family-run pub in Longford.
Gerald Farrell (43), of Aughamore, Lanesboro was sentenced late last week following an incident at Adie Farrell's Bar, Main Street, Lanesboro on the 8th of January 2022.
The south Longford based businessman, who served as an elected member of Longford County Council for two consecutive terms, previously entered a guilty plea to a section 2 assault charge on a 22 year old woman in February.
Prosecuting Barrister Shane Gerety outlined how the victim had been socialising when she first encountered the accused inside his pub shortly after 9pm.
Following conversation and a number of interactions, the accused returned to the victim's table with a drink.
The victim, who was sitting holding her knees into her chest with her arms, suddenly felt a "flick on the top of her right thigh" from the accused man's hand.
Defence for Mr Farrell stated the actions of his client were nothing more than a "split second of stupidity" he was now paying the consequences for.
Mr Farrell offered €5,000 in compensation to the victim and has handed down section 1 of the Probation Act.
Liam Cosgrove, Journalist with the Irish Independent outlined what was included in the victim impact statement:
