Livingston FC re-sign Declan Gallagher despite conviction for brutal assault with baseball bat
Gallagher left his victim with a fractured skull following the 2013 incident but the 24-year-old is appealing his conviction
Assault: Declan Gallagher was jailed for three years for the assault(Image: Pressteam)
Footballer Declan Gallagher who was convicted of brutally attacking a man at a Blantyre hotel has been re-signed by Livingston FC.
And in a statement released by the Scottish Championship side today, Gallacher is described as a "victim", report the Daily Record.
Livingston defender Declan Gallagher, 24, received a three-year sentence in June this year for a baseball attack on Steven Findlay at the Parkville Hotel, Blantyreon April 21, 2013, along with co-accused 29-year-old hairdresser Anthony Murray.
He is appealing his conviction and has been released on bail while that appeal is pending.
Today, Livingston FC announced that they have decided to re-sign Gallagher until his appeal is concluded and appeared to give their backing to the player, saying his was involved in a bid to "clear his name."
(Image: Daily Record)
The statement on the club website reads: "Livingston F.C. has decided to re-sign Declan Gallagher until such times as his appeal is heard and concluded.
"The verdict of the Appeal Court will be a significant factor in the long term future of the player with the Club. At this stage the High Court of Justiciary has considered it appropriate that he be granted his liberty pending the outcome of the Appeal.
"We are of the view that whilst he is on bail he should be provided with the opportunity to earn a living and to support his family whilst he continues with the fight to clear his name.
"We appreciate that in this process there are many victims, including Declan, and that not everyone will be comfortable with the approach adopted by the Club. The Club, however, is not in a position to make judgement.
(Image: UGC)
"Livingston FC hopes that fans and sponsors will recognise and appreciate the approach we have adopted and allow the judicial process to take its course."
The trial at Hamilton Sheriff Court which saw Gallagher convicted had heard how trouble flared up at an anniversary party at the Parkville as Stephen Findlay and Marie Dockery were leaving. Ms Dockery had described the force of the blows as “absolutely brutal”.
The assault caused two massive splits to Mr Findlay's head and left him with a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain.
Murray was also found guilty of assaulting Ms Dockery to her injury – by seizing her on the body, forcing her to the ground, punching her on the head and striking her on the body with his knee - and was sentenced to four months’ imprisonment on the charge which was to run concurrently with the three-year term.
Gallagher left his victim with a fractured skull following the 2013 incident but the 24-year-old is appealing his conviction
- BY JULIE GILBERT
- 22:04, 31 JUL 2015
Assault: Declan Gallagher was jailed for three years for the assault(Image: Pressteam)
Footballer Declan Gallagher who was convicted of brutally attacking a man at a Blantyre hotel has been re-signed by Livingston FC.
And in a statement released by the Scottish Championship side today, Gallacher is described as a "victim", report the Daily Record.
Livingston defender Declan Gallagher, 24, received a three-year sentence in June this year for a baseball attack on Steven Findlay at the Parkville Hotel, Blantyreon April 21, 2013, along with co-accused 29-year-old hairdresser Anthony Murray.
He is appealing his conviction and has been released on bail while that appeal is pending.
Today, Livingston FC announced that they have decided to re-sign Gallagher until his appeal is concluded and appeared to give their backing to the player, saying his was involved in a bid to "clear his name."
(Image: Daily Record)
The statement on the club website reads: "Livingston F.C. has decided to re-sign Declan Gallagher until such times as his appeal is heard and concluded.
"The verdict of the Appeal Court will be a significant factor in the long term future of the player with the Club. At this stage the High Court of Justiciary has considered it appropriate that he be granted his liberty pending the outcome of the Appeal.
"We are of the view that whilst he is on bail he should be provided with the opportunity to earn a living and to support his family whilst he continues with the fight to clear his name.
"We appreciate that in this process there are many victims, including Declan, and that not everyone will be comfortable with the approach adopted by the Club. The Club, however, is not in a position to make judgement.
(Image: UGC)
"Livingston FC hopes that fans and sponsors will recognise and appreciate the approach we have adopted and allow the judicial process to take its course."
The trial at Hamilton Sheriff Court which saw Gallagher convicted had heard how trouble flared up at an anniversary party at the Parkville as Stephen Findlay and Marie Dockery were leaving. Ms Dockery had described the force of the blows as “absolutely brutal”.
The assault caused two massive splits to Mr Findlay's head and left him with a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain.
Murray was also found guilty of assaulting Ms Dockery to her injury – by seizing her on the body, forcing her to the ground, punching her on the head and striking her on the body with his knee - and was sentenced to four months’ imprisonment on the charge which was to run concurrently with the three-year term.
