Garda grabbed by testicles by prisoner had struggled to have baby, court told
A garda whose testicles were grabbed by a prisoner in a garda station had been trying for a baby and believed the assault had affected his ability to have a child, a court has heard.
Defendant Neil Waters (42) could not recall doing what he did, his lawyer said.
Judge David McHugh said what had happened to the garda had been quite significant.
Judge McHugh ordered Waters to complete 100 hours of community service in lieu of three months in prison.
The defendant, of Maynooth Road, Celbridge, Co Kildare, admitted threatening and abusive behaviour at Main Street in Celbridge, and assaulting a peace officer, on March 19, 2024.
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Today's News in 90 Seconds - June 12 2025
Sergeant Noel Kavanagh told Blanchardstown District Court gardaí were called to the Kildrought Lounge following reports of an incident.
Sgt Kavanagh said Waters was verbally threatening towards staff and gardaí at the scene.
He was arrested and taken back to the garda station.
Sgt Kavanagh said he was in the station when he heard a commotion, and he went to investigate. As Waters was being placed in a cell, he was being noisy, and when he saw Sgt Kavanagh he turned and went for him.
Sgt Kavanagh said gardaí pushed Waters back and he fell to the ground, and as he did so he rugby-tackled the injured party. Officers then went to help Waters up, but at this point he grabbed the victim by the testicles.
The garda's legs buckled, and he tried to pull Waters's hands away. Sgt Kavanagh said that when the victim was clear of Waters, he fell to his knees with the pain.
He said the garda did not wish to make a victim-impact statement. However, the court heard the victim and his partner had been trying for a baby at the time of the assault, and the victim believed this incident had affected him.
The court heard Waters had five previous convictions, for minor road matters.
Defence solicitor John O'Doherty said Waters wished to apologise for his behaviour. Waters knows he was abusive and out of control, but he cannot recall doing what he did to the garda, the solicitor said.
A medical report on the garda's injuries was handed into court. Mr O'Doherty said it was impossible for medics to say if there was a full correlation between the assault and the garda's difficulties, but it 'didn't help the situation'.
Mr O'Doherty also said Waters was a qualified electrician, and his partner was in court to support him.
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