Ireland Dundalk man given six-month sentence for assaulting garda
On 15 December 2020, Edward Egan, a 39-year-old man, was involved in an incident at his home in Dundalk, County Louth, in which a member of the local garda drugs unit was assaulted during an investigation. The garda was discharged from Our Lady of Lourdes hospital after a few hours, collapsed at home the next day, and was off work for seven weeks. Egan was charged with assaulting the garda causing him harm, assaulting a second officer and obstruction. At Dundalk District Court, Judge Eirinn McKiernan imposed a six-month sentence for the assault causing harm charge and fixed recognizance in the event of an appeal, as reported on 4 and 5 October 2023.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced5 Oct
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A member of the local garda drugs unit was assaulted during an investigation at the defendant's home.
- While being handcuffed, the defendant tried to break free, hit his head backwards and made forcible contact with the garda.
- Where
- The incident took place at the defendant's home in Dundalk, County Louth.
- When
- The incident took place on 15 December 2020.
- Cause
- The defendant became aggressive when cautioned about messages he had received.
- Weapon
- One officer drew his baton in response, and the garda later put it away once the defendant appeared to calm down.
- Other details
- The defendant said "I'll break your faces".
- The garda was discharged from Our Lady of Lourdes hospital after a few hours, collapsed at home the following day and was kept in hospital.
- The garda was off work for seven weeks.
- The defence said the defendant has bipolar disorder, had not taken his medication for five days, has six previous convictions mostly for road traffic matters, and has no convictions for violence.
- The garda accepted the defendant's apology.
- Charges
- Edward Egan was charged with assaulting the garda causing him harm, assaulting a second officer and obstruction.
- In court
- The case was heard at Dundalk District Court, and court reports were published on 4 and 5 October 2023.
- Sentence
- Judge Eirinn McKiernan imposed a six-month sentence for the assault causing harm charge and fixed recognizance in the event of an appeal being lodged.
17 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA member of the local garda drugs unit collapsed at home a day after being assaulted during an investigation. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whatOne officer drew his baton in response to the defendant's behaviour. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whatThe defendant tried to break free while being handcuffed, hit his head backwards and made forcible contact with the garda. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whatThe garda was discharged from Our Lady of Lourdes hospital after a few hours. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whatThe garda collapsed at home the following day, was kept in hospital and was off work for seven weeks. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whereThe incident took place at the defendant's home. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whenThe incident took place on 15 December 2020. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- causeThe defendant became aggressive when cautioned about messages he had received. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- chargeEdward Egan was charged with assaulting the garda causing him harm, assaulting a second officer, and obstruction. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- courtThe case was heard at Dundalk District Court. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- sentenceJudge Eirinn McKiernan imposed a six-month sentence for the assault causing harm charge. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- sentenceThe judge fixed recognizance in the event of an appeal being lodged. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- otherThe defendant said "I'll break your faces". (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- otherThe defendant had six previous convictions, mostly for road traffic matters. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- otherThe defence said the defendant has bipolar disorder and had not taken his medication for five days. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- otherThe defence said the defendant had no convictions for violence. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- otherThe garda accepted the defendant's apology. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 5 Oct2023Garda collapsed following assault, Dundalk court heard
Court report from Dundalk District Court on the sentencing of Edward Egan for the assault on a garda. Covers the charges, the garda's injuries and time off work, the defendant's previous convictions and mitigation, and the six-month sentence with recognizance fixed pending any appeal.