Community service for hotel brawl

A man charged with an affray at an Athlone hotel has been ordered to complete 100 hours of community service in lieu of three months in prison.

John Ward (28), with an address of Esker Park, Arcadia, Athlone, appeared before Athlone District Court on February 4 last, where Judge Bernadette Owens heard evidence of a fight that took place on February 2, 2025 at the Radisson Blu Hotel.

The court heard that, on that evening, at 7pm, Gardaí were called to the hotel where they met with staff who reported a fight between two males in the lobby of the leisure centre.

CCTV footage was downloaded, which showed both parties exchanging punches, despite staff’s best efforts to intervene.

Solicitor Jennifer Shortt said her client, who has four previous convictions, is “doing his best not to come to the attention of the court”.

Judge Owens, having heard the facts, made a community service order of 100 hours in lieu of three months in prison.