Bar fight trio acted like teens

5:30pm Tuesday 19th August 2008

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THREE men involved in a drunken brawl outside a Bridge Street bar have been told they were acting like ‘immature teenagers’.

Recorder Mr Barrie Searle told Philip Woodrow, Daniel Keenan and Raymond Donnelly: “I take the view that all three of you should be thoroughly ashamed of yourselves. You are all getting old, you are acting like immature teenagers. This community is sick and tired of this loutish and disgraceful behaviour.”

Woodrow, aged 35, of Roughley Avenue, Sankey Bridges, 27-year-old Keenan of St Elphin’s Close and Donnelly, also aged 27 and from Rolleston Street, in the town centre, had all pleaded guilty to a public order offence after being involved in a fight outside McCauley’s bar at 1.30am on January 11.

The court heard that on CCTV footage, Woodrow and Donnelly could be seen waiting outside the bar for some time after leaving. When Keenan left the bar he threw a punch at an unknown man and Donnelly retaliated for his actions and punched Keenan.

The pair were joined by Woodrow who then also threw a punch at Keenan.

Police soon arrived as the fight fizzled out.

Robert Golinksi, representing Woodrow, said that he had a massive alcohol problem and was already on an ASRO course to tackle his problems, but could not currently attend for medical reasons.

Keenan had been provoked after being attacked in the bar earlier, alleged Vincent Deane, who was representing him. He also said he had been treated for depression, but since the attack had got a job.

Donnelly, meanwhile, was said to be ashamed by his actions, according to his barrister Andrew Carney and he had not drunk in six months.

Sentencing them Mr Searle said they were lucky that there were no serious injuries as a result of the fight.

Woodrow was handed a curfew order banning him from leaving his house between 7pm and 7am for six months.

Keenan and Donnelly were both given 180 hours’ community service and were ordered to pay £200 in costs.