Oasis gig proves costly for three Louth men
Three Louth men whose visit to the Oasis gig in Marley Park in 2005 has already cost them almost €16,000 in fines and compensation are to carry out community service in lieu of prison sentences.
The three Clogherhead men’s offending at the July 16, 2005 gig resulted in a garda's front teeth being knocked out after one of them intervened to demand "What the f**k are you taking his name for?" when a plain clothes saw another of them buy an 'ecstasy' tablet from a dealer
Patrick McGuigan, (aged 32) of Harbour Road pleaded guilty to assault causing Garda Richard Noonan harm; Paul Aspell, (aged 35) of Gort Uaine pleaded guilty to obstructing two gardaí during the drug search; and Neville Aspell, (aged 27) of O'Donnell Park, pleaded guilty to possession of 'ecstasy' and obstructing a garda.
Judge Patricia Ryan at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court last October gave McGuigan a three year suspended sentence, fined him €2,000 and ordered that he pay €10,000 he had in court to Garda Noonan as a token of his remorse.
She imposed six month suspended sentences on the Aspells, fined them €500 each and directed them to hand over €2,000 to Garda Noonan. She also fined Neville €800 for drugs possession.
Judge Ryan also directed at the previous hearing that they be assessed for community service in lieu of the prison sentences and has now confirmed 240 hours for McGuigan and 180 hours each for the Aspells.
Judge Ryan said previously that she accepted all three had good jobs. McGuigan works as an accountant, Paul Aspell is a technician with Meath County Council and Neville Aspell is an Iarnrod Eireann employee as well as working as a volunteer with the Irish Coastguard Service.
She said the three had expressed their remorse for their actions and they had not come to the attention of gardaí since but added that McGuigan, who has three previous convictions, and Paul Aspell, who has one previous conviction for assault, were given chances by the courts in the past.
