Case No. 2036Assault (two counts) · Co. Dublin · 28 Aug 2021
Former reserve garda given probation order for punching eight-year-old daughter over ice-cream
A Dublin father and former reserve garda in his thirties was given a probation order at Dublin District Court after pleading guilty to two counts of assault for punching his eight-year-old daughter in 2021 over a dispute about ice-cream. Judge John Hughes applied the Probation of Offenders Act, ordering €5,000 compensation to be held until the child turns 18.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced21 Mar
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports15 statements extracted from the articles
- whenThe first assault occurred on 28 August 2021 and the second on an unspecified date in September 2021 (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeHe pleaded guilty to two counts of assault carrying a maximum six-month sentence per charge (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe case was heard at Dublin District Court before Judge John Hughes (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceJudge John Hughes applied the Probation of Offenders Act (irishmirror.ie)
- sentence€5,000 compensation was ordered to be held by the child's guardian until she reaches 18 (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe accused is a former reserve garda (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe victim was an eight-year-old girl (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe accused is in his thirties (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe child was crying about not getting ice cream when the assault occurred (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe bruising was explained as coming from the man's watch as he leaned back behind his car seat (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe man was also accused of a punch to the girl's chest and heart area (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe accused had completed parent and anger-management courses over the past five months (irishmirror.ie)
- otherA probation report stated he was at a low risk of re-offending (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe man avoided taking on work around children including schools, GAA clubs or Tusla (irishmirror.ie)
- otherNo victim impact statement was forthcoming (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 21 Mar2025Former reserve garda 'blew his top' and punched daughter, 8, over ice-cream
Sentencing hearing at Dublin District Court where Judge John Hughes applied the Probation of Offenders Act, avoiding a criminal record for the accused who had completed parenting and anger-management courses.
accused, 30s, malevictim, 8, female