Man forced to pay burglar €175,000 not guilty of assault

Yesterday we brought you the news of how a man who was accused of breaking both a burglar's legs after he found him robbing his house had to pay €175,000.

Well, Martin McCaughey is breathing a sigh of relief today after being cleared of the assault. The case is the first high profile case prosecuted since the 'Home Defence' act, but it doesn't appear that this case relied on it at all.

Martin of Mount Avenue, Dundalk, Co Louth was relieved leaving the court: "I'm glad it's all over, I wouldn't go through this ordeal again," he told the Irish Daily Star.

The burglar, Daniel McCormack, was prosecuted for breaking into Martin's home, but only got a suspended sentence. Once he was back on his feet he decided to sue Martin for €175,000 and won.

Martin has always denied the assault claims and he still not happy that McCormack and the State were both able to tear a chunk out of him in the court system. "Unfortunately that is the system and they dragged me through the courts and I've got justice at the finish of it," he said.

He was buoyed by support, though: "My phone and text never stopped last night, it was unbelievable, people wishing me well and the best of luck."

So, turns out you might be able to break both a burglar's legs, but you'll have to have a thick wallet if you do.