A DRINAGH man was given a four-month suspended prison sentence for assaulting a family member in a right-of-way row.

Mark Hegarty (39), of Knockmore, Drinagh, pleaded guilty to a charge of assault at Skibbereen District Court.

On January 21st at around 11.30, Mr Hegarty confronted his brother-in-law, Seamus Collins, over a silage delivery that morning, in which one of his trailers was clipped, subsequently damaging one of Mr Hegarty’s children’s buggies.

The court heard that the heated argument turned physical and Mr Hegarty squared up to Mr Collins, touching his forehead with his own.

Before the row erupted, Mr Collins had been feeding cattle on his mother’s farmland, which borders on to his brother-in-law’s property.

Mr Collins reported to gardaí that he was not injured in the row. There were ongoing issues between both men over the entrance to the farm, the court heard.

Mr Hegarty has 12 previous convictions. Defence solicitor Liam O’Donovan said his client had cooperated with gardaí, and handed them CCTV footage of the row.

He added his client worked in fishing and farming and was the father of eight children, one of which was just born the previous night.

Mr O’Donovan, who hoped to resolve the right of way issue through mediation, said: ‘He definitely overstepped the mark that morning but this was not a headbutt.’

Judge Joanne Carroll said people are not allowed to abuse a right of way, adding: ‘He cannot take matters into his own hands.’ She imposed a four-month suspended jail term fixing recognisance for appeal at €100.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.