NEIL Armstrong, a Lurgan man who was in Monaghan during the summer, found himself in court berated by a judge for his “absolute savagery”.

Armstrong, of Forest Glade, Lurgan was prosecuted at Tuesday’s Monaghan Court for assauting Ciara McCrystal and Daniel Sweeney outside a nightclub, the assault against the woman drawing the judge’s attention. Mr Armstrong’s solicitor, Paul Madden,
explained to the judge that the man wasn’t sure if he’d intended to kick Ms McCrystal in the face or the eye, in the heat of the fi ght.

Judge Sean McBride said “if he wants to avoid jail, he’d better have €3,000 for the victim – he kicked a lady in the face!” Armstrong, a 22 year-old apprentice bricklayer, was in court with his mother and, in the afternoon, gave the €3,000 to the court, as well as letters of character reference, which the judge read.

Ultimately, Judge McBride dismissed the charge against Mr Armstrong, but told him that the assault will count on his record. The charge of assault on Daniel Sweeney was struck out.