Thug who carried out unprovoked glass attack on innocent pub-goer is jailed

Paddy Connors (27) from Rockland, Ballywilliam, Co Wexford, was recently jailed for 18 months after a court heard that he smashed a glass so hard into the head of his victim Eamonn Brennan that the glass shattered.

Defence counsel for Connors said the father-of-two was normally a “mild-mannered” individual.

His wife had been offering up prayers since he was locked up last month, praying for his early release — including prayers to St Rita the patron saint of the impossible, difficult, and hopeless causes.

“You were greatly burdened during your life and you know what we are going through now. We offer our prayers for relief, please hear and bring our intentions to the Lord. Amen,” she wrote in an online post after his jailing, before later adding that she hoped he was back home soon.

Connors was jailed by Judge Cormac Quinn at Wexford Circuit Court last month over the attack in the Top Place pub in Ballywilliam on October 29, 2021.

Detective Garda Donal Doyle told the court that the victim arrived in New Ross Garda Station to make a formal complaint after receiving 10 stitches to head wounds in hospital following the attack.

Connors was identified as the culprit and, once arrested, he took responsibility for the attack, later pleading guilty to assault causing harm.

In his victim impact statement, Mr Brennan, who is a farmer and farming contractor worker, told how he met up with a few friends on the night in question after the lifting of Covid restrictions.

Though he knew who the defendant was, he had no prior dealings with him.

The witness recalled that the behaviour of Connors after he arrived at around 11pm was loud and obnoxious that night, talking about all that he owned.

Without warning, Brennan found himself struck to the side of the head and his face began pumping blood.

He described the assault as unprovoked and cowardly, leaving him with enduring scars that continue to be sore in cold weather.

The fact that he was wearing spectacles probably saved him from eye damage, he suggested.

Defending barrister Ronan Kennedy revealed that his client had been drinking that day after the death of his grandfather.

His parents, Tom and Anne, were present in court as counsel told the judge that the defendant was ashamed of an incident of which he had limited memory.

The court was also told that Connors had raised €5,000 as a token of remorse.

“The tragedy is that he is otherwise mild-mannered,” suggested Mr Kennedy, adding that the accused was not used to consuming alcohol regularly.

Connors left school after third year in secondary school, the court was informed, with poor literacy skills.

A member of the Travelling community, he worked in the family horse breeding and furniture business.

Judge Quinn agreed that the assault was a cowardly attack, which he marked with a sentence of two-and- a-half years with the final year suspended.

Connors was bound to the peace before being taken away by prison officer escort, and he was ordered to hand over the €5,000.