Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 6179Assault on a Garda (with intent to resist arrest); dangerous driving · Co. Clare · 10 Aug 2021

Anti-vaccine activist sent forward for trial over alleged Garda assault in Ennis

Antonio Mureddu, a 47-year-old man described as an anti-vaccine activist, is accused of assaulting Garda James Hanley with intent to resist or prevent lawful arrest and of dangerous driving at Knockanean outside Ennis, County Clare, on August 10, 2021. A bench warrant was issued in June 2022 after he failed to attend court, and he was later remanded in custody from March 13. On April 3, 2024, Judge Alec Gabbett at Ennis District Court sent him forward for trial to Ennis Circuit Court on the assault charge, and further dangerous driving charges on the M18 motorway are also alleged.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court3 Apr
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Antonio Mureddu, a 47-year-old man described as an anti-vaccine activist, was sent forward for trial over an alleged assault on Garda James Hanley.
Where
The alleged assault and dangerous driving took place at Knockanean outside Ennis, County Clare.
When
The incident happened on August 10, 2021.
Charges
  • The assault charge is that Mureddu allegedly acted with intent to resist or prevent lawful apprehension or detention, contrary to Section 19 of the Criminal Justice Act (Public Order Act) 1994.
  • Mureddu is also accused of dangerous driving on the M18 motorway at Caheraphuca, Crusheen and at Ballymacahill, Ennis.
  • Dangerous driving charges are to be added to the circuit court indictment at a later date.
In court
On April 3, 2024, Judge Alec Gabbett at Ennis District Court sent Mureddu forward for trial to Ennis Circuit Court.
Other details
  • Mureddu had been at large since June 2022, when a bench warrant was issued after he failed to attend court.
  • Mureddu had been remanded in custody since March 13.
9 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatAntonio Mureddu was sent forward for trial over an alleged assault on Garda James Hanley. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe dangerous driving incident took place at Knockanean outside Ennis. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe incident happened on August 10, 2021. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeThe assault charge is contrary to Section 19 of the Criminal Justice Act (Public Order Act) 1994. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeDangerous driving charges are to be added to the circuit court indictment at a later date. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeMureddu is also accused of dangerous driving on the M18 motorway at Caheraphuca, Crusheen and at Ballymacahill, Ennis. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtJudge Gabbett sent Mureddu forward for trial to Ennis Circuit Court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtMureddu had been on remand in custody since March 13. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherMureddu had been at large since June 2022, when a bench warrant was issued after he failed to attend court. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 3 Apr2024
    In courtirishmirror.ie, first report
    Anti-vaxxer accused of Garda assault is told he's 'facing quite serious charges'

    First report of this case. Adds that Mureddu was sent forward for trial at Ennis District Court, was remanded in custody since 13 March, had been at large since June 2022, and faces additional dangerous driving charges on the M18.

    accused, Antonio Mureddu, 47, male, namedAntonio Muredduvictim, James Hanley, irish (judged from name)James Hanley