Ireland Brazilian man sentenced for punching garda in head on Christmas Eve in Fermoy
On 24 December 2023 Garda Mark Murphy responded to a disturbance at an address on Church Hill, Fermoy, Co Cork, where Lenison Guimaraes Araujo, a 44-year-old Brazilian national, was highly intoxicated and behaving abusively. Mr Araujo repeatedly punched the garda in the side of the head, and additional gardaí subdued him with pepper spray before he was arrested and taken to Fermoy Garda station. He pleaded guilty to assault causing harm, threatening and abusive behaviour, obstruction of a peace officer and intoxication in a public place. By 30 June 2024 Fermoy District Court, before Judge Colm Roberts, had imposed a nine-month prison sentence for the assault, suspended for two years on condition he does not consume alcohol, plus community service totalling more than 200 hours for the other offences.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced30 Jun
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- When
- The incident took place on 24 December 2023.
- Where
- The disturbance occurred at an address at Church Hill, Fermoy, Co Cork.
- Cause
- Mr Araujo was highly intoxicated and behaving abusively when Garda Mark Murphy arrived in response to a call about a disturbance.
- What happened
- Mr Araujo became violent, told the garda to go home, and repeatedly punched Garda Murphy in the side of the head.
- Garda Murphy suffered scratches to his chin and a cut gum, with no permanent injury.
- Investigation
- When additional gardaí arrived, Mr Araujo was subdued with pepper spray, arrested and taken to Fermoy Garda station.
- Charges
- Mr Araujo pleaded guilty to assault causing harm, threatening and abusive behaviour, obstruction of a peace officer and intoxication in a public place.
- In court
- The case was heard at Fermoy District Court before Judge Colm Roberts.
- Sentence
- For assault causing harm he was sentenced to nine months in prison, suspended for two years on condition he does not consume alcohol.
- For threatening and abusive behaviour he was sentenced to 100 hours community service in lieu of two months in prison.
- For obstruction of a peace officer he was sentenced to 120 hours community service in lieu of four months in prison.
- Other details
- Mr Araujo, of Patrick's Street, Fermoy, was assisted by an interpreter in court.
- Mr Araujo has a wife and five children and is in full-time employment locally.
- Judge Roberts said he has very little tolerance for abuse of gardaí.
14 statements extracted from the articles
- whatMr Araujo pleaded guilty to assault causing harm, threatening and abusive behaviour, obstruction of a peace officer and intoxication in a public place. (irishtimes.com)
- whatMr Araujo was in a highly intoxicated state and behaving abusively when the garda arrived. (irishtimes.com)
- whatMr Araujo repeatedly punched the garda in the side of the head. (irishtimes.com)
- whatMr Araujo was subdued with pepper spray when additional gardaí arrived. (irishtimes.com)
- whatGda Murphy suffered scratches to his chin and a cut gum with no permanent injury. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe disturbance occurred at an address at Church Hill, Fermoy. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe incident took place on 24 December 2023. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe case was heard at Fermoy District Court before Judge Colm Roberts. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceFor assault causing harm he was sentenced to nine months in prison, suspended for two years on the condition that he does not consume alcohol. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceFor threatening and abusive behaviour he was sentenced to 100 hours community service in lieu of two months in prison. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceFor obstruction of a peace officer he was sentenced to 120 hours community service in lieu of four months in prison. (irishtimes.com)
- otherMr Araujo is a Brazilian national who was assisted by a Portuguese interpreter in court. (irishtimes.com)
- otherMr Araujo has a wife and five children and is in full-time employment locally. (irishtimes.com)
- otherJudge Roberts said he has very little tolerance for abuse of the guards. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 30 Jun2024Man who punched garda in the head on Christmas Eve avoids prison
Reports the full sentencing details at Fermoy District Court, including the judge's remarks and the specific sentences imposed for each charge.
convicted, Lenison Guimaraes Araujo, 44, male, Brazilian, named, non-irishLenison Guimaraes Araujovictim, Mark Murphy, male, irish (judged from name)Mark Murphy