CCTV evidence of how a Castletroy homeowner gave chase to three naked men who had tried to cause a disturbance and kick down the front door of the house was shown to a sitting of Limerick District Court last week.
Judge Tom O’Donnell was shown the footage and the picture images of the incident at Milford Grange last August.
The house, owned by David Ryan, is caught in the footage and is the scene where the homeowner gave chase to the three men.
Maurice O’Connor, from Tullylease in Charleville was one of the three men in question on the night and pleaded guilty to the charges of trespass and public order offences.
However, Judge O’Donnell dismissed the charges of assault brought against the Charleville man by the homeowner in question.
The homeowner and Castletroy business man, David Ryan, told the court sitting that he heard loud noises and crashing sounds at his front door in the early hours of the morning and upon investigating the matter further, found three naked men to be causing the disturbance.
Mr Ryan phoned the gardai and gave chase.
Maurice O’Connor, running with the other two naked men, stopped and turned to Mr Ryan saying, “You’re messing with the wrong guy, I’m a three times All-Ireland kick boxing champion.”
Mr Ryan then told the court of how the accused lunged and performed a flying kick. The kick landed and Mr Ryan told of how he was struck on the knee.
Countering the claims of assault, Mr O’Connor said he reacted to being struck in the face by the homeowner and was taking an act of self defence for his safety, but then added that he apologised for his actions on the night.
Judge O’Donnell took the approach that Mr O’Connor was worthy of the benefit of the doubt in the matter of assault and dismissed the charge.
The judge then fined Mr O’Connor 500 euro for the childish prank and ordered him to pay 150 euro in expenses.
Mr Ryan later offered the money back to the court to be given to a charity.
