ANDREW O'DONNELL'S SHOCKING ATTACK IN BALINGRY PUB LEAVES ELDERLY COUPLE AND BARMAID INJURED

In July 2019, a violent incident unfolded at a pub in Ballingry, Fife, where a man named Andrew O'Donnell launched a brutal assault on an elderly couple and a barmaid, leaving a trail of injuries and shock among witnesses. The disturbing events took place during a quiet evening at The Cleikum Inn, located on Martin Crescent, when O'Donnell, who was visibly intoxicated, entered the premises and quickly became the center of chaos.

According to court reports, the elderly woman, who was suffering from a serious illness, and her frail husband, both in their seventies, were the only patrons remaining in the pub at the time. O'Donnell, who knew the couple, initially sat beside them. However, what began as a social encounter quickly escalated into violence. After some time, O'Donnell suddenly grabbed Mr. James McCann by the shoulder, prompting the barmaid to ask him to leave the establishment. Instead of complying, O'Donnell responded aggressively by grabbing her and pinning her against the bar.

Witnesses described how Mr. McCann shouted for O'Donnell to release the barmaid. O'Donnell then pushed Mr. McCann against a gaming machine, causing him to fall to the floor. The elderly woman, Janet McCann, attempted to intervene and help her husband but was also thrown to the ground during the altercation. As the couple lay on the floor, O'Donnell proceeded to pick up their drinks and pour them over their bodies. He then stood over Mr. McCann and spat on him, further assaulting the elderly man.

Not stopping there, O'Donnell went behind the bar, seized a bottle of soft drink, and poured it over the couple as they remained on the floor. The barmaid, witnessing the chaos, immediately called the police. Despite the intervention of law enforcement, O'Donnell's violence continued. Local residents, appalled by the incident, later assisted police in locating him at a nearby flat. O'Donnell's actions were described as “absolutely appalling” by the sheriff, who sentenced him to 15 months in prison.

During the court proceedings at Dunfermline Sheriff Court, O'Donnell, aged 33 and residing at Shepherds Park, Methil, admitted to multiple charges related to the incident. He pleaded guilty to assaulting Laura Maxwell, a barmaid, by seizing her and pushing her against a storage area filled with glasses, pinning her against it. He also admitted to assaulting James McCann, causing him to fall and repeatedly pouring liquid over him while he was on the ground, as well as spitting on him. Additionally, O'Donnell confessed to assaulting Janet McCann in a similar manner, throwing her to the floor and pouring liquid over her.

Prosecutor Alistair McDermid explained that the assault occurred around 10:30 pm, with O'Donnell arriving intoxicated and causing chaos. The incident was described as deeply disturbing, with witnesses and local residents left in shock. Defense solicitor Chris Sneddon stated that O'Donnell had since moved out of the area and was now living in Methil. He claimed that his client had no recollection of the events but was genuinely remorseful and had ceased alcohol consumption.

Sheriff Craig McSherry condemned O'Donnell's behavior as “absolutely appalling” and imposed a sentence of 15 months imprisonment, emphasizing the severity of the assault and the impact on the victims. The case highlights the dangers of alcohol-fueled violence and the importance of holding offenders accountable for such egregious conduct.