Former garda's assault conviction from Strokestown eviction quashed by High Court
During the repossession of a house at Falsk, Strokestown, Co Roscommon, on 11 December 2018, a security man, Ian Gordon, alleged that Kevin Taylor, then aged 65 and a former garda, grabbed his private parts, causing him to go to ground. Strokestown District Court convicted Taylor of assault in August 2021 and imposed a €200 fine. A Circuit Court appeal in March 2024 replaced the fine with a two-month custodial sentence. The High Court has now quashed the conviction, finding that the prosecution failed to particularise the charge and that CCTV footage did not show the alleged act taking place.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Acquitted30 Jun
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A security man, Ian Gordon, alleged that Kevin Taylor, then aged 65 and a former garda, grabbed his private parts during the repossession of a house, causing him to go to ground.
- Where
- The property was at Falsk, Strokestown, Co Roscommon.
- When
- The incident occurred on 11 December 2018.
- In court
- Strokestown District Court convicted Taylor of assault in August 2021 and imposed a €200 fine.
- A Circuit Court appeal in March 2024 resulted in a two-month custodial sentence.
- The High Court quashed the conviction, finding the prosecution failed to particularise the charge and the trial judge undermined cross-examination.
- Sentence
- The Circuit Court judge said it was not in the public interest to remit as Taylor had already served a two-month sentence for contempt.
- Other details
- CCTV footage did not show the alleged act of grabbing taking place.
- Taylor asserted he acted to protect a disabled man with a brain injury who was being pushed or attacked by security personnel.
- The enforcement group included county registrar Aidan Devlin and security personnel including Ian Gordon.
12 statements extracted from the articles
- whatTaylor was convicted of assaulting a security man during a repossession of a house in Strokestown, Co Roscommon (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe security man alleged Taylor grabbed his private parts, causing him to go to ground (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe property was at Falsk, Strokestown (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe incident occurred on 11 December 2018 (irishtimes.com)
- courtTaylor took his case against the DPP to the High Court seeking a quashing of his conviction (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe High Court quashed the assault conviction (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceA Circuit Court appeal in March 2024 resulted in a two-month custodial sentence (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe judge said it was not in the public interest to remit as Taylor had already served a two-month sentence for contempt (irishtimes.com)
- otherCCTV footage did not show the alleged act of grabbing taking place (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe enforcement group included county registrar Aidan Devlin and security personnel including Ian Gordon (irishtimes.com)
- otherTaylor asserted he acted to protect a disabled man with a brain injury who was being pushed or attacked by security personnel (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe prosecution failed to specify the precise factual basis of the alleged assault (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 30 Jun2026Former garda has assault conviction linked to Strokestown eviction quashed by High Court
High Court quashing of the original District Court assault conviction and the subsequent Circuit Court custodial sentence, with the judge finding the prosecution failed to particularise the charge and the trial judge undermined cross-examination.
accused, Kevin Taylor, 65, male, named, irish (judged from name)Kevin Taylorvictim, Ian Gordon, male, irish (judged from name)Ian Gordon