Assault left artist with a life-long injury

An artist has said he will never be able to work in the same way again after he suffered an injury to his hand during an assault on a bus.

George Rowland, aged 61, of Dugort, Achill Island, pleaded guilty at the local district court to assault causing harm to Antoin Ó hEocha.

Sgt John O’Reilly told the court that Gardaí received a report of an incident that occurred on board a Bus Éireann bus in Achill Sound on September 14, 2023. The bus had stopped to allow Rowland to disembark but he was refusing to do so as he was in an intoxicated state.

Mr Ó hEocha, who was fellow passenger, asked Rowland to leave the bus as it was being delayed. The victim "engaged" with Rowland three times before he was assaulted, suffering an injury to his hand. Rowland has a number of previous convictions.

Solicitor Gary Mulchrone said his client had lived in the United Kingdom for most of his life but moved to Achill where he had family roots. Rowland accepts he should never have put his hands on Mr Ó hEocha. The solicitor noted that Mr Ó hEocha was taking the bus to catch a train in Westport and was concerned he would run late due to Rowland holding up the bus.

Mr Mulchrone said Rowland himself had been the victim of a serious assault for which he is still receiving treatment.

Mr Ó hEocha told the court that he works as an artist and has been unable to use his hand in the same way since the assault. Physiotherapists had told him “this is how it will be” for the rest of his life.

Judge Sandra Murphy said it was an aggravating factor that this incident occurred on public transport where the passengers had a right to feel safe and which was the bus driver’s place of work. She said it was clear from Mr Ó hEocha’s victim impact statement that the incident had a significant impact on him.

Judge Murphy said she would require an up-to-date medical report from Rowland’s GP and a probation report. She adjourned the case until May 14 next.

• Published as part of the Courts Reporting Scheme.