Hit boy around head at station

Forty-four-year-old Killian Patrick Owen Philip McCann, Beech Meadows, Portadown, admitted unlawful assault on March 17 this year.

He was ordered to pay £500 compensation to the injured party and was given a conditional discharge for two years.

The court heard that at 7.35pm police were contacted by Translink staff at Lurgan railway station where a 16-year-old boy claimed he had been assaulted by a man before he boarded a train to Portadown.

At Portadown staff saw the defendant who was under the influence of alcohol. He said he was involved in an altercation with the injured party who, he claimed, had been harassing him.

The injured party then arrived on the next train. Police spoke to him and took photographs of his injuries.

The victim claimed he had been struck several times by the defendant who was aggressive and made threats.

When interviewed McCann said he could not remember the incident because he had consumed a 
large amount of alcohol that day.

Mr Hugo Marley, representing the defendant, said it was St Patrick’s Day and McCann had gone to 
Lurgan. He was drinking throughout the day and could not 
remember anything.

He explained that he defendant had no recollection but he had a gut feeling that something untoward had 
happened.

Mr Marley said this was out of character for McCann who was totally apologetic for the incident.

District Judge, Mr Paul Copeland, said it was 
appalling behaviour against a young lad who was completely innocent.

He added that for no apparent reason McCann had punched the victim about the head and face.