Castlereagh Hotel: Darragh Maher spared conviction for Castlereagh Hotel punch
A 20-year-old man now living in Sydney has blamed alcohol after punching a Dubbo publican before trying to jump over a fence to get away from police.
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An Irish national in Australia on a working visa has been spared a conviction for assaulting a Dubbo pub manager who wouldn’t let him in.
Now based in the beachside suburb of Maroubra in Sydney, Darragh Maher was visiting Dubbo on August 9 when he was refused entry to the Castlereagh Hotel.
According to court documents, the 20-year-old started arguing with the pub’s manager who called police for help.
While on the phone to police, Maher punched the pub manager in the face and caused him to stumble.
Maher then ran away from the pub and was spotted by police 30 minutes later outside the nearby Pastoral Hotel.
When he realised police were near him, Maher ran onto Carrington Avenue and tried to jump over a fence.
After Maher was arrested and taken to Dubbo Police Station, officers said in court documents that he showed no signs of remorse and refused to speak to them.
In Dubbo Local Court on Thursday, Maher pleaded guilty to one count of common assault and one count of failing to leave a premises when excluded and required to.
The court heard Maher was remorseful and blamed his behaviour on alcohol.
Maher had sought professional help and convictions would jeopardise his chances of staying in Australia after his working visa expires, the court heard.
Magistrate Gary Wilson did not record any convictions and ordered Maher to be of good behaviour for six months.