An altercation between a father and son outside a Navan school in 2023 has a sequel at Trim District Court when the son was convicted of assault. Mark Curran, Lynfield, Oldcastle Road, Kells was charged with assaulting Michael Curran outside the Mercy school on 22nd September 2023. He was also charged with threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour on the same occasion. Michael Curran gave evidence that he was collecting his granddaughter from the school. He said that defendant came towards him and “started roaring and shouting” saying “you’ll not give evidence against me”. He alleged that defendant gave him two kicks in the groin and that he also called him names.
Cross-examined by defending barrister Paul Noctor he said there was an ongoing dispute between himself and his son. He denied approaching his son, saying that his son had approached him. He also denied having a weapon – a trowel – in his hand. The defendant in evidence said that he was walking with his son about 20 cars down from the school when he noticed Michael Curran. He alleged that Michael Curran said he would “box the head off the two of you”. “I never spoke a word to Michael at that stage”, he said.
He claimed that Michael Curran had a trowel in his hand. Judge Eirinn McKiernan said that in CCTV footage shown in court she did not see any trowel. Defendant said that a dispute with his father had been going on for six years. He had gone to the doctor on the day of the alleged assault by Michael Curran because he thought his leg was broken. He denied provoking his father.
Judge McKiernan said that defendant could have walked on past Michael Curran but the CCTV showed him kicking out. She said it was a sad state of affairs to see a father and son in court. “Incredible”, she added. The court was told that defendant had no previous convictions. The judge put the case back to 27th November for preparation of a probation report.
