McDaid son pleads guilty to assault

Ryan Kevin Barry McDaid (23), whose address is only known to the court, and Peter George Antony Neill (24) of Pates Lane were originally scheduled to contest the two charges of assault relating to an incident in Coleraine on October 11 last year.

However, before the case was heard, defence solicitor Garrett Green told the court that the defendants were pleading guilty.

The prosecution told the court at approximately 5pm on the day in question the two injured parties were in the Waterside area of the town when they were approached by Neill, who made sectarian remarks towards them.

One of the boys bumped into Neill's BMW car. The defendant punched him on the head before being joined by McDaid who kicked out at the boy.

The other injured party intervened and was subsequently struck by both defendants, before they managed to make their escape.

The prosecution added that the incident had caused the boys a lot of stress but they were relieved that they were spared from giving evidence.

Defence told the court that the damage caused to Neill's car was the stimulus in this incident. However, he added that his clients accepted culpability and realise now that they shouldn't have got involved in the first place.

In sentencing the defendants District Judge, Mr Austin Kennedy said that they should be setting an example to young people.

"There is a big age difference between yourselves and the injured parties and it's time you started setting an example. Behaviour like this only adds to the ongoing tension in the area," he said.

Both Neill and McDaid were bound over for two years and warned they were forbidden from molesting, pestering, harassing or threatening the injured parties or instructing others to do so. They must also refrain from any offensive or disorderly behaviour.

Both defendants were also ordered to pay the injured parties 50 compensation each.