A man was the “author of his own misfortune” when he videoed and shared online an attack on a male who had insulted his mother at her birthday party
Jay Wilson, aged 25, of Barr na Farraige, Achill Sound, pleaded guilty to a charge of affray when he appeared before a sitting of Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court.
Two co-accused who struck the injured party were previously dealt with by the courts.
The incident occurred at Market Lane, Westport, on November 20, 2021.
Seven days later, Gardaí became aware of a video being circulated online via social networks. Wilson had recorded the incident and could be heard making multiple threats.
The court heard Wilson had been attending his mother’s 50th birthday party. The victim had been asked to leave the party after he insulted Wilson’s mother.
Wilson told his co-accused to give the injured party “a slap” for his mother.
Judge Eoin Garavan was told that the defendant has five previous convictions.
Barrister Martin Durack said the accused is in a stable relationship and will never come before the courts again.
Wilson has been in employment and is due to start a new job shortly.
“If it hadn’t been for the video evidence by this man, he would not have been before the court,” noted Judge Garavan.
“He was the author of his own misfortune,” the judge added.
He said while Wilson did not strike the injured party, he encouraged the melee and recorded it “for posterity” before sharing it on social media.
The judge said Wilson’s recent employment record and the lack of violence or aggression in his previous offending were mitigating factors.
Judge Garavan ordered the defendant to undertake 150 hours of community service in lieu of a six-month term of imprisonment.
