Kinawley GAA has expressed its concern over the jail sentence handed down to one of its members last week.

James Bernard McGovern, also known as Bernard McGovern, was sentenced to three years and three months in prison last Friday for assaulting two senior businessmen two years ago.

Following his sentence at Cavan Circuit Court on Friday, Kinawley GAA posted on its Facebook page describing Mr McGovern’s actions as “inexcusable”.

However, the Fermanagh club did criticise the media’s portrayal of him as being inaccurate and felt that the sentence handed down to him for a first time offender seemed “completely disproportionate”.

“The Committee of Cill Náile Brian Boramha/Naomh Mhuire, Cill na Laisreach CLG would like to express their concern over the sentence passed on their club member, Bernard McGovern,” the Facebook post read.

“We do not in any way condone the assault that resulted in his trial. His actions were inexcusable.

“However, his sentence as a first time offender seems completely disproportionate. The media portrayal of Benny is not the person we have known through many years of involvement in the club. As a Club and Community, we need to support Benny and the McGovern family at this time.”

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