A TRALEE man who missed three court appearances said he hadn't turned up because he feared he'd be jailed for failing to pay money owed to the court.

Ronan Walsh, of 119 Marina Park, Tralee, appeared at Tralee District Court last Wednesday on foot of a bench warrant.

He had previously been found guilty of assaulting a Mary Connelly in Tralee Town Square on September 19, 2007.

The court heard that Mr Walsh had failed to appear at Tralee District Court on three occasions to make outstanding payments on a settlement arising from the assault.

His solicitor Pat Mann told Judge James O'Connor that the settlement in the case had been a significant amount and his client had missed a number of payments.

Mr Mann said that because of this his client had feared he would be jailed if he attended court and so stayed away when summonsed.

Judge James O'Connor heard that Mr Walsh is now in a position to pay the outstanding amount: €750.

Ronan Walsh was released on bail of €200 and ordered to pay the remaining money to the court by April 24, 2010.

- COURT REPORTER