TWO children who witnessed an unprovoked assault on their dad had nightmares afterwards, a court heard.

The victim’s other child was deeply upset and very uncomfortable if she saw the man responsible for the assault around the town, Macroom District Court was told.

Donnacha Lynch (51) of 18 The Granary, Macroom,pleaded guilty to assault, criminal damage and using or engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour on Castle Street in Macroom on November 15th 2025.

Sgt Trish O’Sullivan told the court that at 6:05pm on that date as the injured party was driving from Masseytown to Macroom along Castle Street the accused stepped onto the road.

‘He banged his fists on the car and struck the driver with his closed fist through the car window and broke his glasses during the assault,’ said Sgt O’Sullivan.

‘His two young children, aged 11 and 14, one who has visual needs were back seat passengers in the car and witnessed the assault of their father.’

Sgt O’Sullivan said that other motorists had also complained about the accused’s behaviour on the street and when gardaí attended the scene they arrested Mr Lynch.

The court was told that he has nine previous convictions for assault and public order offences and he was on a suspended sentence at the time of these offences.

Barrister Carmel Goggins BL described it as ‘psychotic episode’ in Macroom and said her client needs to get a referral from his GP to allow him see a psychiatrist.

‘The failure is on his part for not properly engaging with his doctor but he has to take up that life altering decision to take up services,’ she said.

‘I have told him it is prison or else engage with the psychiatric services. I believe he doesn’t really understand his actions.’

She said Mr Lynch brought €400 into court as compensation for the broken glasses.

In a victim impact statement read out in court by Judge Carroll, the injured party said his two children, were in the car during this unprovoked assault.

‘My son, who has autism was severely traumatised by the incident and experienced nightmares for several nights afterwards. My daughter was deeply upset after it and feels uncomfortable when she sees the accused in town.’

Judge Joanne Carroll noted that it is a ‘fact’ that he was drinking while on medication and he was told not to mix alcohol and drugs.

‘He then goes out and assaults a man in his car,’ said the judge.

Judge Carroll sentenced him to four months for the assault, three months for criminal damage and three months for the public order offence which are to run concurrently.

‘There is no discussion as he got the opportunity in September and I gave him a suspended sentence and he then re-offends.’ Recognisances for an appeal were fixed in the defendant’s own bond of €200 in cash.