Man fined for punching punch-bag

The blow damaged the machine's mechanism

A man has been ordered to pay 1,950 euro to the owner of an amusement arcade for striking a punch-bag after it swung back and hit him on the jaw.

Paul Kelly, 23, of Lisanisk in Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan, admitted hitting the bag and damaging it in a fit of anger after it struck him.

His lawyer said the blow had caused damage to the machine's mechanism.

Carrickmacross District Court heard moments earlier Kelly thought he had won a payout for punching the bag hard.

The incident took place at a recent summer festival in the town.