Latest news with #CriminalJustice(PublicOrder)Act1994
Sunday World
07-07-2025
- Sunday World
‘People who assault gardaí can expect prison': Tallaght man spat in garda's eye
'simple as that' | Jordan Mallon (26) appeared before Judge William Aylmer at Tallaght District Court Jordan Mallon was jailed over the incident. Photo: Paddy Cummins. Jordan Mallon (26), of Donomore Crescent, Tallaght, appeared before Judge William Aylmer at Tallaght District Court facing five charges arising from a series of offences on October 14, 2024. He pleaded guilty to assaulting Garda James Cullen, violent behaviour in a garda station, criminal damage to a bus stop and two public order charges relating to intoxication and threatening behaviour. The court heard that gardaí were called to Castletymon Road in Tallaght after Mallon was seen kicking and smashing a bus stop shelter. He was intoxicated and acting aggressively. Gardaí arrested him and conveyed him to Tallaght Garda Station. There, while in custody, Garda Cullen stood beside the accused when Mallon suddenly turned his head and spat directly into the garda's face and eye. Garda Cullen was brought to Tallaght University Hospital and a garda doctor was contacted to assess the risk of exposure. While the saliva contained no blood and the risk was deemed low, the court heard that the incident was highly distressing. Garda Cullen returned to duty after receiving medical attention, the court was told. The court heard Mallon was 'extremely aggressive' throughout the incident and that assistance was required to restrain him. He has 38 previous convictions, including multiple offences under the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, with his most recent convictions recorded in March and June 2025. Defence solicitor Michael Hennessy said his client had already personally apologised to Garda Cullen and was 'shocked by his own behaviour' after viewing CCTV footage of himself. 'He regrets the incident profoundly,' Mr Hennessy said. 'It was disgraceful, and he's thankful the garda did not suffer lasting harm." Counsel submitted that Mallon failed to process the grief of his father's death in a mature way and fell into alcohol misuse. "He's now 26, and since March this year, he's been sober, attending AA, and is due to start a job on Monday," counsel said. Judge Aylmer, however, asked: 'How can an apology ring true at all, when it comes after this man's record of persistent offending?' 'This was a garda simply doing his job,' he added. 'To be spat in the face and eye is utterly unacceptable. Fortunately, no lasting harm occurred, but this court must mark the seriousness of the offence. People who assault gardaí can expect prison. It's as simple as that.' Jordan Mallon was jailed over the incident. Photo: Paddy Cummins. Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 7th Judge Aylmer convicted Mallon under Section 19 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994, imposing a nine-month sentence, reduced to eight months to reflect the early guilty plea. He suspended four months for 12 months on condition that Mallon engage fully with the Probation Service, participate in a Restorative Justice programme and address alcohol misuse, violent and criminal damage behaviours. The court requested a final exit report. 'If he does not cooperate fully,' Judge Aylmer warned, 'he will serve the remaining sentence.' Mallon was also ordered to enter a €300 peace bond. The custodial sentence related specifically to the assault on Garda Cullen, with all other offences taken into account. Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.
Irish Independent
05-07-2025
- Irish Independent
‘People who assault gardaí can expect prison. It's as simple as that': Judge to man who spat in garda's eye
Jordan Mallon (26), of Donomore Crescent, Tallaght, appeared before Judge William Aylmer at Tallaght District Court facing five charges arising from a series of offences on October 14, 2024. He pleaded guilty to assaulting Garda James Cullen, violent behaviour in a garda station, criminal damage to a bus stop and two public order charges relating to intoxication and threatening behaviour. The court heard that gardaí were called to Castletymon Road in Tallaght after Mallon was seen kicking and smashing a bus stop shelter. He was intoxicated and acting aggressively. Gardaí arrested him and conveyed him to Tallaght Garda Station. There, while in custody, Garda Cullen stood beside the accused when Mallon suddenly turned his head and spat directly into the garda's face and eye. Garda Cullen was brought to Tallaght University Hospital and a garda doctor was contacted to assess the risk of exposure. While the saliva contained no blood and the risk was deemed low, the court heard that the incident was highly distressing. Garda Cullen returned to duty after receiving medical attention, the court was told. The court heard Mallon was 'extremely aggressive' throughout the incident and that assistance was required to restrain him. He has 38 previous convictions, including multiple offences under the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, with his most recent convictions recorded in March and June 2025. Defence solicitor Michael Hennessy said his client had already personally apologised to Garda Cullen and was 'shocked by his own behaviour' after viewing CCTV footage of himself. 'He regrets the incident profoundly,' Mr Hennessy said. 'It was disgraceful, and he's thankful the garda did not suffer lasting harm." Counsel submitted that Mallon failed to process the grief of his father's death in a mature way and fell into alcohol misuse. "He's now 26, and since March this year, he's been sober, attending AA, and is due to start a job on Monday," counsel said. Judge Aylmer, however, asked: 'How can an apology ring true at all, when it comes after this man's record of persistent offending?' 'This was a garda simply doing his job,' he added. 'To be spat in the face and eye is utterly unacceptable. Fortunately, no lasting harm occurred, but this court must mark the seriousness of the offence. People who assault gardaí can expect prison. It's as simple as that.' Judge Aylmer convicted Mallon under Section 19 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994, imposing a nine-month sentence, reduced to eight months to reflect the early guilty plea. He suspended four months for 12 months on condition that Mallon engage fully with the Probation Service, participate in a Restorative Justice programme and address alcohol misuse, violent and criminal damage behaviours. The court requested a final exit report. 'If he does not cooperate fully,' Judge Aylmer warned, 'he will serve the remaining sentence.' Mallon was also ordered to enter a €300 peace bond. The custodial sentence related specifically to the assault on Garda Cullen, with all other offences taken into account.
Irish Examiner
04-07-2025
- Irish Examiner
More than one garda a day injured in assaults in 2024 despite rise in sentence
Gardaí were injured as a result of being assaulted on duty at a rate of more than one every single day last year, new figures have revealed. A total of 372 officers sustained injuries in assaults during 2024, while another 128 were injured on duty as a result of being attacked during the first six months of this year. The pattern of aggression has continued despite the introduction of new legislation in November 2023, which increased the maximum sentence for assaulting or threatening gardaí from seven to 12 years. Some 1,307 gardaí have sustained injuries as a result of being assaulted during the past three-and-a-half years, according to data published by Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan in response to a parliamentary question from Fianna Fáil TD Padraig O'Sullivan. Numbers spiked to a record 470 in 2023 from 337 during the previous year, before falling by 20% to 372 last year. A further 128 assaults causing injury had been reported up to June 26 this year. What's your view on this issue? You can tell us here 'We are all immensely grateful to our gardaí for their outstanding dedication and commitment to serving the public and for the important role that they play in our society,' said Mr O'Callaghan. 'For the most part, the relationship between gardaí and the public is one built on very significant trust. An Garda Síochána is a largely unarmed, and yet hugely effective, policing service. 'An assault on a member of An Garda Síochána, a prison officer, a member of the fire brigade, ambulance personnel, or a member of the Defence Forces is an offence under Section 19 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994.' Read More Minister wants pilot of garda-HSE response team in Limerick rolled out nationwide
Irish Independent
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Video emerges in Cork of man appearing to perform Nazi salute amid jeering between protest groups
Two demonstrations, which both took place in Cork City last Saturday, clashed as they began their marches – one to support the people of Palestine, and the other against what 'Ireland says No' organisers label 'mass uncontrolled' immigration. Gardaí say that they 'implemented a proportionate operation to police a number of public gatherings which took place in Cork City Centre. 'Three separate public gatherings took place, all of which assembled in the Grand Parade area. Over 100 members of An Garda Síochána were on duty in Cork City Centre,' said a statement from An Garda Síochána. The demonstration saw the 'Ireland says No' rally finish outside City Hall, while the pro-Palestinian demonstration, which has taken place every Saturday since the beginning of the conflict, ended back on Grand Parade. However, it was at the beginning of the march where a flashpoint broke out between the two protests that were separated by barriers and a police cordon. Insults were shouted from one side to another, but in a shocking video, one man appears to have performed a Nazi salute, saluting from his chest with a flat arm before extending the flat palm outwards from his body. The gesture appeared to have incensed pro-Palestinian demonstrators, who gestured back to the man, who was wearing a Celtic FC top. Performing a Nazi gesture and displaying Nazi symbolism is illegal in many European countries, including France, Italy, and Germany. However, it is legal in countries like Spain, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. Gardaí meanwhile confirmed that a man in his 30s who was arrested during the march has subsequently been released without charge pending further investigations. He had been arrested under the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994. However, that arrest is not believed to be related to the gesture. 'Ireland operates as a constitutional democracy, ensuring that citizens have the right to express their beliefs and opinions freely, as well as to gather peacefully, in accordance with legal provisions,' said a statement from An Garda Síochána about the event. ADVERTISEMENT Chief Superintendent Thomas Myers said: 'I would like to thank the participants for gathering peacefully. A significant policing operation was deployed to ensure the safety of everyone involved. I would also like thank the community and public transport companies in Cork City Centre for their support throughout the afternoon.' Uniformed frontline Gardaí were supported by colleagues from the Garda National Public Order Unit, Garda Mounted Unit, Garda Dog Unit, Garda Air Support Unit, Divisional plainclothes Gardaí and Gardaí from National Units, all in anticipation of the two events running concurrently.
Sunday World
03-06-2025
- Health
- Sunday World
Two men jailed for incident that led to Garda breaking his hand
Garda Mark Pender said both men were quite loud and aggressive, particularly Kevin Scanlan (29) who was kicking a door and telling him to 'f**k off.' Two Wicklow men have been sentenced to three months in prison each for obstructing a Garda called to a disturbance outside a house in Dunlavin, Co Wicklow three years ago. Kevin Scanlan (29) of Stoneacre, Crehelp, Dunlavin and Ross Coleborn (29) of Castledermot Road, Baltinglass, Co Wicklow both pleaded guilty to a charge of obstructing a peace officer in the execution of his duty at Fairgreen Manor, Dunlavin, on April 26, 2022, contrary to Section 19 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994. A sitting of Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court heard Garda Mark Pender broke his hand during the incident. Gda Pender told the court that he was called to a house in Dunlavin where he discovered both accused parties in an intoxicated state trying to gain entry to a property. The court heard that Mr Scanlon was in a relationship with Mr Coleborn's sister, Claire, who lived in the house and who wanted both men to go away. Bray Courthouse, where Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court sits News in 90 Seconds - 3rd June 2025 Gda Pender said both men were quite loud and aggressive, particularly Mr Scanlan who was kicking a door and telling him to 'f**k off.' The garda who attended the scene on his own, described how a small scuffle broke out between the three of them when he tried to arrest Mr Scanlan. Gda Pender said he could not execute the arrest as he was being held by both men. The court heard Mr Scanlan had 51 previous convictions including six for public order offences, while Mr Coleborn had 26 previous convictions, the majority of which were for road traffic offences but one for assault. Gda Pender told counsel for the DPP, James Kelly BL, that Mr Scanlan was currently serving a prison sentence imposed by a court in Naas in relation to a conviction for criminal damage. He also confirmed that Mr Scanlan had been on bail at the time of the offence in Dunlavin. In a victim impact statement, Gda Pender said he did not blame the accused men that he had broken his hand during the incident but that he was disappointed he had been put in such a situation. Gda Pender said he knew both men but had never experienced such impudence and hostility from them before. He urged both men not to 'throw their lives away' after informing the court that they had issues with alcohol, cocaine and Valium. 'Something is going to give unless that's stopped,' said Gda Pender. Cross-examined by counsel for Mr Coleborn, Éamonn O'Moore BL, the witness acknowledged that the accused had written him a letter of apology. Mr O'Moore said Mr Coleborn was a father of one and mechanic who had significant issues with abuse of alcohol and drugs. Under cross-examination by barrister for Mr Scanlan, Damian Sheridan BL, Gda Pender said neither accused had come to his attention since the incident and both men looked 'much healthier.' Mr Sheridan said Mr Scanlan had a difficult family background but had displayed remorse and shame for the impact of his offending and drug-taking. He said the father of two was a trained chef who had a job offer for when he was released from prison. 'He is counting the days to get back to his family,' said Mr Sheridan. Counsel said the accused had been free from drugs for a period of three years and now realised 'the value of what he has in life.' Judge Patrick Quinn said striking a police officer during a scuffle was treated as a serious offence by the court. 'Interfering with a garda in uniform is a serious matter,' he remarked. The judge also observed that a probation report had assessed Mr Coleborn at being at a high risk of reoffending within the next 12 months and that he did not accept responsibility for his actions. Sentencing both men to three months in prison, Judge Quinn directed that Mr Scanlan's sentence should be served consecutively to his existing term of imprisonment.
