Latest news with #Fitzmaurice
Sunday World
a day ago
- Sunday World
Off-duty garda got ‘paralytic drunk' at stag and assaulted hotel porter, court told
'Mr Fitzmaurice had four or five drinks and all of a sudden he was paralytic drunk and he had to be brought home' Caoileann Fitzmaurice (31)l leaves Ennis courthouse after escaping a conviction for an assault on a hotel porter during a 'stag' weekend in Ennis in January 2023 Photo: Press 22 An off-duty garda and former inter-county GAA star got 'paralytic drunk' during an 'alcohol-fuelled' stag weekend before assaulting a hotel porter, a court in Clare has been told. At Ennis District Court, Judge Alec Gabbett said: 'It is a shame really that but for the isolated incident on a stag night where Caoileann Fitzmaurice drank sambuca he probably wouldn't be here at all." Judge Gabbett said: 'Mr Fitzmaurice had four or five drinks and all of a sudden he was paralytic drunk and he had to be brought home. Then he was confronted by this nice man (Olufegun Lawal) who was trying to direct him to the right place when the melee ensued.' The judge described Mr Fitzmaurice, who has represented Roscommon at senior inter-county football level, as having been on 'an alcohol-fuelled weekend'. Fitzmaurice (31), who is stationed at Pearse Street Garda Station in Dublin, pleaded guilty to assaulting Olufegun Lawal at the Queen's Hotel, Abbey Street, Ennis, Co Clare, on January 21, 2023. Caoileann Fitzmaurice (31)l leaves Ennis courthouse after escaping a conviction for an assault on a hotel porter during a 'stag' weekend in Ennis in January 2023 Photo: Press 22 News in 90 Seconds - June 27th Judge Gabbett said that he would not be imposing a conviction on Mr Fitzmaurice for the late-night assault and instead imposed the Probation Act on the man and made a compensation order for €5,000, which was handed over to Mr Lawal. He said would not convict Mr Fitzmaurice 'due to the exemplary fashion in which he has engaged with the Probation Services'. The manner in which Mr Fitzmaurice – who has no previous convictions – had met the case was 'an example to others'. 'He has met the case head on, shown remorse, apologised, faced up to it and paid compensation,' the judge said. It is a very, very good probation report. Mr Fitzmaurice's own insight into the offending is excellent which comes out in the report. 'He has given up alcohol, he has engaged in counselling, he is getting married, he has engaged in very pro-social activities.' Mr Fitzmaurice was described by the judge as 'a very well educated gentleman and has a qualification in criminology". 'There is obviously a significant future here for him in his current job with his qualifications.' Mr Fitzmaurice was 'mortified' by what occurred. 'He has received significant publicity for this crime, which is very difficult for his family, his club mates and his colleagues. 'I am very conscious of the notoriety that this case has brought him - unfortunately Mr Google will follow him around for a long time.' Judge Gabbett said he wouldn't expect to see Mr Fitzmaurice in a court again other than in his role as a state witness. It was never easy for a member of An Garda Siochana to be before the courts. Judge Gabbett said he was conscious of the internal disciplinary proceedings within An Garda Siochana which, he said, would have to happen because it is an assault. The significant aspect of the disciplinary proceedings would be to get Mr Fitzmaurice "off administrative duties and back to his normal duties of preventing crime'. Cian Kelly BL, counsel for Mr Fitzmaurice, asked that the case be struck out due to the manner in which Mr Fitzmaurice had met the case. Judge Gabbett said that he didn't think it would change the outcome of the disciplinary process if the case was struck out. Mr Kelly said: 'Unfortunately having dealt with the minutiae of that disciplinary process, I am very conscious that minute differences have significant ramifications in that process.' Judge Gabbett said: 'The court has come as much as it can in terms of sanction.' State Solicitor for Clare Aisling Casey said: 'From the very outset, the victim wanted an acknowledgement that he had done nothing wrong and the accused was apologetic to him.' Mr Lawal opted not to provide a victim impact statement to the court. On his way out of the courtroom, Mr Fitzmaurice shook hands with Mr Lawal. In the prosecution against Mr Fitzmaurice taken by the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission (GSOC), Sarah Jane Comerford BL previously outlined the facts in the case to the court. Ms Comerford said on January 21, 2023, Mr Fitzmaurice was off-duty on the night and out with friends in Ennis. He was brought back to the Queens Hotel by a number of friends. Ms Comerford said: 'He was exceptionally intoxicated and in a confused state and was brought back by friends for the purpose of putting him to bed. 'But they left him in the care of hotel porter Mr Lawal and asked Mr Lawal to bring him up to his room. 'Unfortunately, Garda Fitzmaurice was in such an intoxicated state that he started walking around the hotel. He was very disoriented - he dropped the key to his hotel room and Mr Lawal who was at all times trying to assist him picked up the key and at that point, Garda Fitzmaurice struck him two times - once in the nose and once in the left eye and Mr Lawal caught the third blow. Mr Lawal suffered a bloody nose and he did get some medical attention later that morning. 'The incident spilled out onto the street where a witness saw Mr Fitzmaurice holding onto Mr Lawal and kicking out. The incident was also captured on CCTV footage." Mr Kelly previously said Mr Fitzmaurice attested as a garda in 2017. Prior to the Ennis incident, Mr Fitzmaurice was a garda on beat patrol and was currently on office duties Mr Kelly said that Mr Fitzmaurice was still heavily involved in GAA where he captains local senior football team Michael Glaveys in Roscommon.
Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Irish Examiner
Off-duty garda who assaulted hotel porter while 'paralytic drunk' avoids conviction
An off-duty Garda got 'paralytic drunk' after drinking sambucas during a stag weekend before assaulting a hotel porter in Ennis, a court has heard. At Ennis District Court, Judge Alec Gabbett said: 'It is a shame really that but for the isolated incident on a stag night where Caoileann Fitzmaurice drank sambuca he probably wouldn't be here at all. 'Mr Fitzmaurice had four or five drinks and all of a sudden he was paralytic drunk and he had to be brought home. Then he was confronted by this nice man (Olufegun Lawal) who was trying to direct him to the right place when the melee ensued.' Caoileann Fitzmaurice, aged 31, stationed at Pearse Street Garda Station in Dublin, pleaded guilty to assaulting Mr Lawal at the Queen's Hotel, Abbey Street, Ennis, Co Clare on January 21, 2023. Judge Gabbett said he would not impose a conviction on Mr Fitzmauraice and instead imposed the Probation Act and made a compensation order for €5,000 for Mr Lawal. He said he was not convicting Mr Fitzmaurice of the offence 'due to the exemplary fashion in which he has engaged with the probation services'. Judge Gabbett said the manner in which Mr Fitzmaurice — who has no previous convictions — has met the case 'is an example to others'. He has met the case head on, shown remorse, apologised, faced up to it and paid compensation. 'He has given up alcohol, he has engaged in counselling, he is getting married, he has engaged in very pro-social activities.' Judge Gabbett said that Mr Fitzmaurice 'is a very well-educated gentleman and has a qualification in criminology'. He said it is never easy for a member of An Garda Síochána to be before the courts. He said that he was conscious of the internal disciplinary proceedings within An Garda Síochána which, he said, will have to happen because it is an assault. Judge Gabbett said that the significant aspect of the disciplinary proceedings is to get Mr Fitzmaurice 'off administrative duties and back to his normal duties of preventing crime'. Counsel for Mr Fitzmaurice, Cian Kelly BL asked that the case be struck out due to the manner in which Mr Fitzmaurice has met the case. Judge Gabbett said that he didn't think it would change the outcome of the disciplinary process if the case was struck out. On his way out of the courtroom, Mr Fitzmaurice shook hands with Mr Lawal. In the prosecution against Mr Fitzmaurice taken by the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission (Gsoc), Sarah Jane Comerford BL previously outlined the facts in the case to the court. Due to Mr Fitzmaurice's intoxicated state, his friends left him in the care of hotel porter, Mr Lawal and asked Mr Lawal to bring him up to his room.' Ms Comerford said: 'Unfortunately Garda Fitzmaurice was in such an intoxicated state that he started walking around the hotel. He was very disoriented — he dropped the key to his hotel room and Mr Lawal who was at all times trying to assist him picked up the key and at that point, Garda Fitzmaurice struck him two times — once in the nose and once in the left eye and Mr Lawal caught the third blow. 'Mr Lawal suffered a bloody nose and he did get some medical attention later that morning.' 'The incident spilled out onto the street where a witness saw Mr Fitzmaurice holding onto Mr Lawal and kicking out. The incident was also captured on CCTV footage.'
Irish Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Ex-county GAA star avoids assault rap after getting 'paralytic drunk' on stag
An off-duty Garda - who has represented Roscommon at senior inter-county football level - got 'paralytic drunk' after drinking sambucas during an 'alcohol-fuelled' stag weekend before assaulting a hotel porter in Ennis, a court has heard. At Ennis District Court, Judge Alec Gabbett commented: 'It is a shame really that but for the isolated incident on a stag night where Caoileann Fitzmaurice drank sambuca he probably wouldn't be here at all." Judge Gabbett said: 'Mr Fitzmaurice had four or five drinks and all of a sudden he was paralytic drunk and he had to be brought home. Then he was confronted by this nice man (Olufegun Lawal) who was trying to direct him to the right place when the melee ensued.' Judge Gabbett said that Mr Fitzmaurice was on 'an alcohol-fuelled weekend'. In the case, Caoileann Fitzmaurice, 31, who is stationed at Pearse Street Garda Station in Dublin, pleaded guilty to assaulting Olufegun Lawal at the Queen's Hotel, Abbey Street, Ennis in Co Clare on January 21, 2023. Judge Gabbett said that he would not be imposing a conviction on Mr Fitzmaurice for the late-night assault and instead imposed the Probation Act on the man and made a compensation order for €5,000, which was handed over to Mr Lawal. Judge Gabbett said that he was not convicting Mr Fitzmaurice of the offence 'due to the exemplary fashion in which he has engaged with the Probation Services'. Judge Gabbett said that the manner in which Mr Fitzmaurice - who has no previous convictions - has met the case 'is an example to others'. He said: 'He has met the case head on, shown remorse, apologised, faced up to it and paid compensation.' He said: 'It is a very, very good probation report. Mr Fitzmaurice's own insight into the offending is excellent, which comes out in the report. Judge Gabbett said: 'He has given up alcohol, he has engaged in counselling, he is getting married, he has engaged in very pro-social activities.' The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week Judge Gabbett said that Mr Fitzmaurice 'is a very well-educated gentleman and has a qualification in criminology". He said: 'There is obviously a significant future here for him in his current job with his qualifications.' Judge Gabbett said that Mr Fitzmaurice 'is mortified' by what occurred. Judge Gabbett said: 'He has received significant publicity for this crime, which is very difficult for his family, his club mates and his colleagues." He said: 'I am very conscious of the notoriety that this case has brought him - unfortunately Mr Google will follow him around for a long time.' Judge Gabbett said that he wouldn't expect to see Mr Fitzmaurice in a court again other than in his role as a state witness. He said that it is never easy for a member of An Garda Síochána to be before the courts. Judge Gabbett said that he was conscious of the internal disciplinary proceedings within An Garda Síochána which, he said, will have to happen because it is an assault. Judge Gabbett said that the significant aspect of the disciplinary proceedings is to get Mr Fitzmaurice "off administrative duties and back to his normal duties of preventing crime'. Counsel for Mr Fitzmaurice, Cian Kelly BL, asked that the case be struck out due to the manner in which Mr Fitzmaurice has met the case. Judge Gabbett said that he didn't think it would change the outcome of the disciplinary process if the case was struck out. Mr Kelly said: 'Unfortunately having dealt with the minutiae of that disciplinary process I am very conscious that minute differences have significant ramifications in that process.' Judge Gabbett said: 'The court has come as much as it can in terms of sanction.' State Solicitor for Clare, Aisling Casey, said: 'From the very outset, the victim wanted an acknowledgement that he had done nothing wrong and the accused was apologetic to him.' Mr Lawal opted not to provide a victim impact statement to the court. On his way out of the courtroom, Mr Fitzmaurice shook hands with Mr Lawal. In the prosecution against Mr Fitzmaurice taken by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC), Sarah Jane Comerford BL previously outlined the facts in the case to the court. Ms Comerford said on January 21, 2023, Mr Fitzmaurice was off-duty on the night, was out with friends in Ennis and he was brought back to the Queen's hotel by a number of friends. Ms Comerford said: 'He was exceptionally intoxicated and in a confused state and was brought back by friends for the purpose of putting him to bed. 'But they left him in the care of hotel porter, Mr Lawal and asked Mr Lawal to bring him up to his room." Ms Comerford said: 'Unfortunately, Garda Fitzmaurice was in such an intoxicated state that he started walking around the hotel. He was very disoriented - he dropped the key to his hotel room and Mr Lawal, who was at all times trying to assist him, picked up the key and at that point, Garda Fitzmaurice struck him two times - once in the nose and once in the left eye and Mr Lawal caught the third blow. She said: 'Mr Lawal suffered a bloody nose and he did get some medical attention later that morning." 'The incident spilled out onto the street, where a witness saw Mr Fitzmaurice holding onto Mr Lawal and kicking out. The incident was also captured on CCTV footage." Mr Kelly previously said that Mr Fitzmaurice attested as a Garda in 2017 and is stationed at Pearse Street Garda station. He said that prior to the Ennis incident, Mr Fitzmaurice was a Garda on beat patrol and is currently on Garda office duties. Mr Kelly said that Mr Fitzmaurice is heavily involved in GAA, where he is captain of his local senior football team, Michael Glavey's in Roscommon.
Irish Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
'Something ominous' in the way Dublin are grinding out results, says Eamonn Fitzmaurice
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Eamonn Fitzmaurice reckons there is 'something ominous' about the way Dublin are grinding out results as they face into a crunch All-Ireland quarter-final encounter with Tyrone next weekend. And Fitzmaurice says he 'wouldn't be surprised' if there was a shock in either the Meath versus Galway game or Monaghan's encounter with Donegal. The former Kerry All-Ireland winning manager also believes 'team to beat' Armagh is 'the right game' for the Kingdom after last year's All-Ireland semi-final defeat by Kieran McGeeney's side. It was already known that Kerry would face Armagh, but this morning's draw threw up a huge tie in the shape of Dublin against Tyrone. Tyrone comfortably defeated Dublin in the League earlier this year, but Dessie Farrell's side are coming off back to back Championship wins over Cork and Derry, while they also defeated Galway in Salthill with a last gasp Tom Lahiff point. Surprisingly, it's the first time they've won back to back games since February 22, when they followed up a one point Division 1 win against Kerry in Tralee by comfortably disposing of Derry at Croke Park. Dublin also left Con O'Callaghan out of last weekend's victory over Cork, and didn't even call on him when it got tight. O'Callaghan was forced off injured in the win over Galway, missed the Armagh defeat and returned to spark Dublin to victory over Derry. Speaking on RTE radio after the draw, Fitzmaurice said: 'The Tyrone/Dublin game is obviously going to be a massive game. The last league game, Tyrone beat Dublin above in Healy Park and played very well. 'It's kind of a fresh Tyrone team coming in against a Dublin team that had a couple of weeks (of games). 'Dessie took the risk of keeping Con back last weekend, a key player, and it will probably pay off for them now, because the Dubs with him are obviously a different team. 'There is something ominous about the Dubs at the moment. They are grinding it out. They are showing a different side to themselves, but they are getting the job done. 'Tyrone are coming fresh to Croke Park as well and they have forwards that are capable of doing a lot of damage up there.' Speaking about the Kerry/Armagh game, Fitzmaurice continued: 'It's a game that certainly the Kerry players and management would have been waiting for all season. Maybe they wouldn't have expected to have gone through the preliminary quarter-final. 'They have a few injuries and everything else, but there are no excuses from here on in. 'Armagh are obviously the team to beat at the moment, but that opposition is right for Kerry and certainly the way they played (against Armagh) in the league game in the middle of March, it kind of inspired them to go to new levels. 'I'd be hoping from a Kerry perspective that it will be something similar next weekend.' Fitzmaurice says that Donegal could have done with a week off. Jim McGuinness side have played more Championship games that anyone else their year. This weekend's encounter with Monaghan will be their ninth, while their opponents will be playing just their sixth game. Donegal, Kerry, Galway and Dublin are all facing into their third game in two weeks. 'In some circumstances I think it is (a disadvantage), but not for Kerry to be honest,' said Fitzmaurice. "I think they needed the game, particularly with the way they played against Meath the previous weekend. 'They were better off having a game and flushing it out of their systems and getting ready for next weekend. 'Some of the other teams, Donegal in particular, could possibly have done with a weekend off, considering the amount of games that they've played recently. 'I actually think the Cavan game was good for Kerry and hopefully it will have them in a good position.' Donegal defeated Monaghan in the Ulster quarter-final back in April, but there were only two points in it at the end. 'Gabriel Bannigan (Monaghan manager), after that game, he was very disappointed with how Monaghan had played in the first half,' said Fitzmaurice. 'They were six down at half-time, but they played very well in the second half. Again, you have a team coming with energy versus a team that are slightly fatigued, so I wouldn't be surprised if there was a shock somewhere along the line between those two games in particular (Donegal v Monaghan and Meath v Galway).'
RTÉ News
16-06-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Fitzmaurice: Peadar Ó Cofaigh Byrne to the fore in Dublin resurgence
Dublin may not have won Leinster, or even their All-Ireland series group, but they remain a serious proposition. That's the view of former Kerry All-Ireland winning player and manager Éamonn Fitzmaurice, who believes a rare appearance in the preliminary quarter-final stage – against Cork on Saturday evening - will suit Dessie Farrell after getting more of his players back into the fold in recent weeks. The Dubs snuck out of Newry with victory on Saturday evening, coming out on top against Derry in a thrilling encounter. Dublin's bid for a 15th consecutive provincial crown came unstuck against Meath, while their defeat to All-Ireland champions Armagh in Croke Park was seen by many as further proof of the new pecking order. Victory in Salthill, plus the gritty win against Derry last time out will offer hope to Dublin supporters that despite an inconsistent 2025, there is still plenty of hope with just a dozen sides remaining in the hunt for Sam Maguire. Captain Con O'Callaghan returned in style against the Oak Leaf county, while Eoin Murchan was part of a Dublin panel for the first time since January. With the Small brothers – both absent earlier in the season – fully back in action, it means that only Colm Basquel is an injury concern for the visit of the Rebels to Croke Park. "You can't ever rule Dublin out," Fitzmaurice told the RTÉ GAA podcast. "We know they are not the team they were. Outside of maybe Armagh, who are continuing to perform to a really high level, every other team is having little blips. "Dublin are exactly where they want to be. Normally they would go the straight route, but having the extra game this year, getting those players back, it is probably good for them." "They're in great shape. Even as good as they were the last night (against Derry), there is more in them." O'Callaghan's return, Ciarán Kilkenny's tour de force and the collective shooting accuracy (seven wides was a much better return than the 17 hit against Armagh) were some of the highlights against Derry, but Fitzmaurice singled out the performance of Peadar Ó Cofaigh Byrne as another reason for optimism. The departure of James McCarthy and Brian Fenton from the engine room has left a sizeable void, with a number of combinations given the chance to impress over league and championship. Ó Cofaigh Byrne and Killian McGinnis were handed the number eight and nine jerseys respectively on Saturday and played well enough to suggest they could be the immediate future of Dublin's midfield, the former pushing for player of the match, ably assisted by McGinnis who notched 0-03 in an industrious display. Fitzmaurice believes the Cuala powerhouse is coming good at the right time for the men in blue. "His performance in the middle of the field was huge for them," he said. "Against Armagh – and credit to them (Armagh) they are always so well drilled – they spoiled him. Cluxton went for him a good few times in that game, but Ben Crealey was able to break the ball away from him and Armagh were picking up the breaks whereas in Newry the last night, they were winning the ball, either him indirectly or off him."
