Ireland Case No. 3987Assault, false imprisonment (civil claim) · Co. Cork · 14 Dec 2015
Cork farmer settles High Court action over alleged double Taser by gardaí
Thomas Browne, 54, a farmer in Co Cork, settled his High Court action against the Garda Commissioner over an alleged incident on 14 December 2015 in which he was Tasered twice by Armed Support Unit members searching for a firearm used in a burglary. Mr Justice Tony O'Connor struck out the case and ordered the Garda Commissioner to pay his legal costs.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court27 Jan
2 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports16 statements extracted from the articles
- whatArmed gardaí used a Taser twice on a farmer in Co Cork while searching for an illegal gun. (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe was building a new shed with his two teenage sons and an electrician friend on the day of the raid. (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe was forced to the ground, which was wet with oil and water, before a Taser was fired into his lower back. (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe was tased a second time after raising his head to see what was happening. (irishtimes.com)
- whatGardaí were searching for a firearm used in an aggravated burglary on 12 December 2015. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThomas Browne, 54, is a farmer in Co Cork who claimed he was Tasered twice by gardaí (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe raid was to search for a firearm used in an aggravated burglary two days before (irishtimes.com)
- whereHe was working in a shed on his farm at the time of the raid (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe incident occurred on 14 December 2015. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe alleged incident occurred on 14 December 2015 (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe case is due for hearing before a jury at the High Court and is expected to last five days. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe case has faced lengthy delays due to disputes over disclosure of Garda evidence. (irishtimes.com)
- courtLawyers for An Garda Síochána deny any wrongdoing and say the unit was justified in using reasonable force. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe defence said he was shown a copy of the search warrant and released as soon as his identity was established. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe judge made the orders as sought, striking out the case (irishtimes.com)
- otherAn Garda Síochána agreed the operation took place but denied any wrongdoing (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 27 Jan2026Cork farmer who alleged gardaí Tasered him twice settles High Court action
Reports the settlement of the High Court action and the judge's order directing the Garda Commissioner to pay legal costs.
victim, Thomas Browne, 54, male, irish (judged from name)Thomas Browne - 27 Jan2026Armed gardaí used Taser on innocent farmer while searching for gun, court will hear
Previews the High Court hearing, detailing the farmer's allegations of being tased twice and held on the ground, and the Garda defence that reasonable force was used during a search for a firearm.
victim, Thomas Browne, 54, male, irish (judged from name)Thomas Browne