North Kerry farmer convicted in assault on silage contractor

Patrick Lane went to John Leahy’s residence in Meen around 8.30pm to 9pm on April 22, 2025 to collect the remaining balance for cutting silage. Lane said Leahy beckoned him to the back of the house, agreed to pay, then grabbed his throat and pinned him down. Lane testified he pushed Leahy away, went to his vehicle, and left while Leahy was shouting and abusing him. Lane said Leahy pursued him and put two hands through the open Jeep window, trying to pull him out. Lane blocked Leahy with his elbow, drove away for safety, then went to a garda station and later to University Hospital Kerry after collapsing. Lane reported bruising and being in shock for days.

"He said Mr Leahy beckoned him to the back of the house, agreed to pay him and then grabbed his throat. "Before I knew it, I was caught by the throat," said Mr Lane. "He had me pinned down.""

"He told the court he managed to push Mr Leahy away and went to his vehicle to leave while Mr Leahy was "roaring and shouting" and "saying this thing and that thing". He said Mr Leahy pursued him, putting two hands through the open window of the Jeep, said Mr Lane. "He was trying to pull me out the window," he testified."

"He described blocking Mr Leahy by raising his elbow. "I drove away for me own safety," said Mr Lane. "He was still roaring abuse." He said he immediately went to the garda station and then visited a friend who took him to University Hospital Kerry after he collapsed. "I was shook up for days after it, bruised and just in a state of shock, like," said Mr Lane."

"In cross-examination, the solicitor for the defence, Brendan Ahern, asked why he had called upon Mr Leahy so late at night, noting he had told garda it was 9.30pm. "A lot of time, farmers don't want to see you during the day because they've enough to do themselves," said Mr Lane. He explained this was common practice and he had previously collected that way. He added that Mr Leahy would not accept his solicitor's letters about money owed."

Read at Irish Independent