By Ronan Judge

A 33-year-old man was on bail for similar offences when he assaulted a man on the east side of Galway City earlier this year, a court has heard.

At Galway Circuit Court, Brendan McKeown, with a former address at Fairgreen Hostel, Fairgreen, confirmed he was pleading guilty to a charge of assault harm to Patrick Sweeney at Glenbaun, Ballybane on May 26, 2025, contrary to section 3 of the Non Fatal Offences Against The Person Act, as amended.

He previously signed a plea of guilty in the District Court.

Defence barrister, Keith Concannon BL, told the court he had been instructed not to seek any reports and asked that this case be adjourned to December 17, when his client was due to be sentenced on other matters.

Counsel said that on a date prior to this assault, his client pleaded guilty to similar but separate offences and was admitted to bail to address his addiction issues.

Mr Concannon said unfortunately the “demons” of addiction reared back up and McKeown reoffended.

He said the court should be aware that this current assault offence was committed while his client on bail and any sentence would be consecutive to any sentence imposed for the other offences.

Counsel asked that both matters be dealt with together on December 17.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.