51�Թ���

Patrick O'Brien covers up as he leaves Tralee District Court where he escaped a criminal conviction after admitting racially abusing footballer Ian Wright.O’Brien, of Sycamore Court, Ashleigh Downs, Tralee, abused Wright in private messages on Instagram last May after he lost a Fifa game on PlayStation.He had pleaded guilty to two charges: harassing Wright on May 11 contrary to the Non-Fatal Offences Against The Person Act 1997, and sending a message by phone that was grossly offensive, obscene and menacing.At a sentencing hearing at Tralee District Court on Wednesday, Judge David Waters said “he didn’t see anything to be gained” by imposing a criminal conviction.He noted Mr O’Brien has shown genuine remorse for his actions and had donated 500 euro to the Irish Network Against Racism out of his own volition.He said the language used by Mr O’Brien was reprehensible, but were the unthinking behaviour of a naive, immature, young man.He noted that he had written a fulsome apology to Mr Wright, which was accepted by the former footballer, who forgave his abuser.