A CARLOW man had petrol rubbed in his face and was attacked with a 'hand weight' during a vicious assault involving two local brothers.

One of the brothers swung a long-handled axe at Marcus Brennan, but missed his target and smashed the weapon through the glass of a back door.

The attack landed James Doyle and his brother Pascal in the dock before Judge Alice Doyle at Carlow Circuit Court yesterday.

Describing the charges against James Doyle, who has 40 previous convictions, as 'very serious', the judge jailed him for two years, with three months suspended, for the assault on Mr. Brennan. Pascal Doyle was jailed for four months, with one month suspended. Judge Doyle told the brothers this was their last chance and she hoped she wouldn't see them in court again.

Pascal Doyle, aged 26, of 39 Staplestown Road, was sentenced to four months in prison, with one month suspended, for the assault on Mr. Brennan in St. Fiac's Terrace, Graiguecullen, on February 18.

On the application of barrister Colman Cody, the sentence of Pascal Doyle, who has been in custody since February 22, will commence from today (Tuesday), with the seven and half weeks he has been detained taken into account.

James Reilly, Rathrush, Rathoe, who also pleaded guilty to charge of assault causing harm to Murt Brennan on the same occasion, was remanded on continuing bail for the preparation of a Probation Officer's report.

Sgt. Gerry Egan said Mr. Brennan had been out walking on the Athy Road, when a car occupied by James Doyle, of 40 Staplestown Road, and James Reilly stopped. Mr. Brennan got into the car and during a dispute was struck by James Doyle.

At St. Fiacc's Terrace, Sgt. Egan said Pascal Doyle assaulted Mr. Brennan. At one stage petrol was daubed on Mr. Brennan's face.

During a fracas in the back garden of a house in Willow Park, a long handled axe was swung at Mr. Brennan by James Doyle. Having missed Mr. Brennan he broke the glass of the door.

Sgt. Egan told the court that Mr. Brennan had noticable bruises around his left eye and forehead and markings to his left cheek. He received treatment for the injuries in St. Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny.

Judge Doyle warned the Doyle brothers that it was a last chance, adding that she hoped she would not see them before the court again.