Ireland Assault on garda sentencing adjourned at Court of Appeal in Wicklow
Brandon Power, 22, of Newtownmountkennedy, Co Wicklow, bit Garda Trevor Devereux's finger during a courtroom struggle at Wicklow Circuit Court on 31 March 2018 while being sentenced on another matter. Power pleaded guilty to assaulting the garda and was given a one-year sentence suspended for 12 months on 11 April 2019. The DPP appealed the sentence as too lenient, and the Court of Appeal agreed, calling for background reports on 15 March. The case was adjourned to 13 December after an up-to-date probation report was unavailable, with Mr Justice Birmingham telling Power to put his best foot forward to avoid jail.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court12 Oct
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Brandon Power (22) of St Joseph's Road, Newtownmountkennedy, Co Wicklow, bit Garda Trevor Devereux's finger during a courtroom struggle.
- Power was being sentenced on another matter when the incident occurred.
- Garda Devereux said he heard his own finger snap and feared it had been bitten off.
- Where
- The incident took place at Wicklow Circuit Court.
- When
- The biting incident occurred on 31 March 2018.
- Charges
- Power pleaded guilty to assaulting Garda Devereux.
- Sentence
- Power was given a one-year sentence suspended for 12 months on 11 April 2019.
- In court
- The DPP appealed the sentence as too lenient, and the Court of Appeal agreed, calling for background reports on 15 March.
- The case was adjourned to 13 December after an up-to-date probation report was not available.
- Mr Justice Birmingham told Power to put his best foot forward to avoid jail and warned of a significantly more severe penalty if he did not cooperate.
- Other details
- Justin McQuade BL told the hearing Power had been engaging with probation services and attended all scheduled meetings.
14 statements extracted from the articles
- whatBrandon Power (22) of St Joseph's Road, Newtownmountkennedy, Co Wicklow, bit a garda's finger during a courtroom struggle. (irishtimes.com)
- whatPower was being sentenced on another matter when he bit the garda. (irishtimes.com)
- whatGarda Devereux said he feared his attacker had bitten his finger off. (irishtimes.com)
- whatGarda Devereux said he heard his own finger snap during the attack. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe incident took place at Wicklow Circuit Court. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe biting incident occurred on 31 March 2018. (irishtimes.com)
- chargePower pleaded guilty to assaulting Garda Devereux. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe Court of Appeal agreed with the DPP and on 15 March called for background reports. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe case was adjourned until December after an up-to-date probation report was not available. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMr Justice Birmingham adjourned sentencing to 13 December. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMr Justice Birmingham told Power to 'put his best foot forward' to avoid jail. (irishtimes.com)
- courtPower was warned to expect a prison sentence even if he engaged positively with probation. (irishtimes.com)
- courtJustin McQuade BL told the hearing Power had been engaging with probation services and attended all scheduled meetings. (irishtimes.com)
- sentencePower was given a one-year sentence suspended for 12 months on 11 April 2019. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 12 Oct2021Man who bit garda’s finger told to ‘put his best foot forward’
The Court of Appeal adjourned sentencing to 13 December after an up-to-date probation report was not available; Court President Mr Justice Birmingham told Power to 'put his best foot forward' to avoid jail and warned of a 'significantly more severe penalty' if he does not cooperate.
convicted, Brandon Power, 22, male, named, irish (judged from name)Brandon Powervictim, Trevor Devereux, male, irish (judged from name)Trevor Devereux