Mullingar Men Accused Of Assaulting A Referee Appear In Court

Four Mullingar men are charged with offences in Horseleap, Co Offaly on November 11th 2018.

Tullamore District Court heard today a 12-year-old boy was among the alleged victims in an incident where men are accused of assaulting a referee after a soccer match in the Midlands.

Four Mullingar men, including a father and his two sons, appeared before Judge Catherine Staines charged with offences in Horseleap, Co Offaly on November 11 last year.

Dean Dinnegan (21), 263 Dalton Park, Mullingar, is alleged to have assaulted the referee, Daniel Sweeney, causing him harm.

He is also accused of assaulting Jason Melia, Gavin Doorley and Andrew Kavanagh, and with producing an article during a dispute.

His father, Sean Dinnegan (50), of the same address, is accused of assaulting a 12-year-old male, causing him harm, producing an article during a dispute, and assaulting Daniel Sweeney, Shauna Buckley and Andrew Kavanagh.

Sean Dinnegan Jnr (24), brother of Dean and of the same address, is alleged to have assaulted Daniel Sweeney and Andrew Kavanagh.

The fourth defendant, Michael Joyce (19), 158 Dalton Park, Mullingar, is accused of assaulting Daniel Sweeney.

All the defendants are also charged with a breach of the peace.

Sgt James O'Sullivan told the court the DPP had directed that the prosecutions against Sean Dinnegan Jnr and Michael Joyce could be dealt with summarily.

Judge Staines adjourned both to appear in court again on November 6 next.

The DPP had directed that Dean Dinnegan be tried in the Circuit Court and his case was adjourned to November 6 for service of a book of evidence. 

Sgt O'Sullivan briefly outlined the alleged facts of the case against Sean Dinnegan (Snr) so Judge Staines could assess jurisdiction.

After being told the evidence would be a 12-year-old victim had to be taken to Tullamore hospital with soft tissue injuries, Judge Staines refused jurisdiction and granted an adjournment to November 6 for a book of evidence.

Sgt O'Sullivan said a large melee had broken out when a match between Horseleap United and Mullingar Town at Horseleap's ground finished five minutes early.

It would be alleged the referee and others were assaulted, including the 12-year-old boy.