Ireland Case No. 7498Assault on a garda · Co. Dublin · 22 Sep 2023
Frances Harrison remanded in custody over garda assault in Dublin
On the evening of 22 September 2023, a male garda in his 20s stationed at Kilmainham Station was sprayed in the face with ammonia during a vehicle stop in the Basin Street area of Dublin 8. Frances Harrison, 31, was arrested at the scene as a passenger in the stolen GoCar hire car. She was charged with assaulting the officer and with being a passenger in the stolen rental vehicle. She was refused bail at Dublin District Court and remanded in continuing custody to appear on 25 October for directions from the DPP.
- Reported22 Sep
- Arrested22 Sep
6 reports - Charged27 Sep
- In court23 Sep
2 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A male garda in his 20s stationed at Kilmainham Station was sprayed in the face with ammonia during a vehicle stop, sustaining non-life-threatening injuries to his head, neck and eyes.
- Where
- The incident took place in the Basin Street area of Dublin 8, south inner city.
- When
- The incident occurred on the evening of 22 September 2023 at approximately 8:45pm, though one report gives 21 September at 9:45pm.
- Cause
- Gardaí stopped a GoCar hire car reported stolen earlier that month after being alerted that a tracking device had been removed.
- Weapon
- The accused allegedly sprayed an unknown chemical substance, later identified as ammonia, into the garda's eyes.
- Investigation
- A woman in her 30s was arrested at the scene and the car was removed for forensic and technical examination.
- Charges
- Frances Harrison, 31, was charged with assaulting the officer under Section 3 of the Criminal Justice Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1991 and with being a passenger in the stolen rental GoCar.
- In court
- Harrison was refused bail at Dublin District Court and remanded in continuing custody to appear on 25 October for directions from the DPP.
- Other details
- The male driver of the car fled on foot and remained at large, and the accused maintains her innocence through her barrister.
- The defence said the trial may not be heard until 2025 or 2026 due to current court delays.
111 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA garda was hospitalised after a late-night attack in Dublin. (extra.ie)
- whatA garda was left injured after being attacked by a suspect in Dublin. (dublinlive.ie)
- whatThe driver of the car allegedly attacked one of the officers before both occupants fled the scene on foot. (dublinlive.ie)
- whatThe driver of the vehicle assaulted one of the gardaí. (garda.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- whatBoth occupants of the car fled the scene on foot. (garda.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe car had been reported stolen earlier that month in the Dublin area and was recovered. (garda.ie)
- whatA garda was assaulted in Dublin. (rte.ie)
- whatThe two people in the vehicle fled the scene. (rte.ie)
- whatThe male garda, who is in his 20s, was treated for facial injuries. (rte.ie)
- whatA garda was sprayed in the face with ammonia. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe driver sprayed a liquid in the garda's face, later found to be ammonia. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe garda suffered injuries to his head and neck. (irishtimes.com)
- whatA garda was sprayed with suspected ammonia in the eyes. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe car was a hire car that was reported stolen. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe male driver assaulted a garda, and both occupants of the car fled on foot. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe male driver remained at large. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe injured garda was stationed at Kilmainham Station and his injuries were not life-threatening. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatA woman is accused of spraying an unknown chemical substance to temporarily blind a garda. (thejournal.ie)
- whatOne garda was temporarily blinded after the substance was sprayed into his eyes. (irishtimes.com)
- whatA garda was sprayed in the face with a chemical substance during an attempted arrest. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe garda was taken to hospital for treatment and his injuries were not serious. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatA garda was allegedly sprayed with an unknown chemical substance. (thejournal.ie)
- whereThe incident happened in the Basin Street area of Dublin 8. (dublinlive.ie)
- whereThe vehicle stop took place in the Basin Street area of Dublin 8. (garda.ie)
- whereThe woman is detained at City Centre Garda Station. (garda.ie)
- whereThe incident happened in the Basin Street area. (rte.ie)
- whereThe garda and a colleague stopped a car in the Basin Street area of Dublin 8. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe incident happened in the Basin Street area of south inner city Dublin. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe woman was detained at City Centre Garda Station. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe alleged assault took place at Basin Street flats in the south inner city. (thejournal.ie)
- whereThe assault is alleged to have happened at Basin Street flats in Dublin 8. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe incident took place on Basin Street in the south-inner city, Dublin. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe incident happened at Basin Street flats in the south inner city of Dublin. (thejournal.ie)
- whenThe incident happened on Thursday night at around 8.45pm. (dublinlive.ie)
- whenThe incident happened on the evening of Thursday 22 September 2023 at approximately 8:45 pm. (garda.ie)
- whenThe incident happened around 8.45pm. (rte.ie)
- whenThe attack happened on a Thursday while the garda was on patrol in central Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe incident happened at around 8.45pm on a Thursday evening. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe incident happened on Thursday night at 9.45 p.m. (thejournal.ie)
- whenThe incident happened on a Thursday, before the court appearance on Saturday. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe incident happened on the evening of Thursday 22 September 2023, at about 8:45pm. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe incident happened on the night of 21 September. (thejournal.ie)
- whenThe incident happened at 9.45 pm. (thejournal.ie)
- causeOfficers stopped a suspected stolen vehicle with two individuals in it. (dublinlive.ie)
- causeGardaí stopped a vehicle carrying two people while on active patrol. (rte.ie)
- causeThe garda was trying to arrest suspected car thieves. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeGoCar notified gardaí that a tracking device had been removed from one of its cars. (thejournal.ie, irishtimes.com)
- causeGardaí were called after GoCar reported that a tracking device had been removed from one of its cars. (thejournal.ie)
- weaponThe driver threw a liquid at gardaí from a bottle. (rte.ie)
- weaponThe woman in the passenger seat allegedly sprayed ammonia into the garda's eyes. (irishmirror.ie)
- weaponThe accused allegedly sprayed an unknown chemical substance at the gardaí. (thejournal.ie)
- weaponThe accused is alleged to have sprayed an unknown chemical substance at officers. (irishtimes.com)
- weaponThe chemical was a suspected ammonia spray. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationA woman in her 30s was arrested by gardaí in relation to the incident and is detained at a garda station in the city centre. (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationA female in her thirties was apprehended and arrested by investigating gardaí. (garda.ie)
- investigationThe investigation is ongoing. (garda.ie)
- investigationA woman in her 30s was arrested. (rte.ie)
- investigationThe woman can be questioned for up to 12 hours. (rte.ie)
- investigationThe car was removed from the scene for forensic and technical examination. (rte.ie)
- investigationGardaí said an investigation is ongoing. (rte.ie)
- investigationThe car was removed from the scene for forensic and technical examinations. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationInvestigators believe the car had false number plates and may have been used in an earlier burglary. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationA woman in her 30s was later arrested in connection with the incident. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe car was being forensically examined. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationA woman in her 30s was arrested at the scene. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe accused was identified at the scene by officers and from mobile phone footage circulated on social media. (thejournal.ie, irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí are to recommend to the DPP that the case be dealt with on indictment. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationTwo gardaí observed the car being driven at speed with no lights. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe car had been reported stolen earlier that month in the Dublin area and was removed for forensic and technical examination. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationA female suspect in her 30s was later arrested. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationPotential further charges were pending. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationGardaí will recommend to the DPP that the case be dealt with on indictment. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeThe woman is detained for an offence contrary to Section 3 of the Criminal Justice Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1991, under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984. (garda.ie)
- chargeThe woman was detained in connection with an offence under Section 3 of the Criminal Justice Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1991. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeThe woman was detained for an offence under Section 3 of the Criminal Justice Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1991. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeHarrison was charged with assaulting the officer. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeHarrison is also accused of being a passenger in a stolen rental GoCar on the same date. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeThe accused was charged with assaulting the officer. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeShe is also accused of being a passenger in a stolen rental GoCar. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeFrances Harrison was charged with assaulting the officer at Basin Street flats. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeShe is also accused of a connected offence of being a passenger in a stolen rental GoCar car on the same date. (thejournal.ie)
- courtHarrison appeared before Judge John Campbell at Dublin District Court and was refused bail. (thejournal.ie)
- courtJudge Campbell refused bail and remanded Harrison in custody. (thejournal.ie)
- courtHarrison's next hearing is on Wednesday. (thejournal.ie)
- courtThe accused was refused bail at Dublin District Court. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe accused was remanded in custody to appear in court again the following Wednesday. (irishtimes.com)
- courtShe was held in custody after an unsuccessful bail application at Dublin District Court. (thejournal.ie)
- courtJudge Treasa Kelly remanded her in continuing custody to appear again on 25 October for directions from the DPP. (thejournal.ie)
- otherThe garda sustained non-life threatening injuries. (dublinlive.ie)
- otherThe vehicle, reported stolen earlier that month in Dublin, was recovered and removed from the scene for technical and forensic examination. (dublinlive.ie)
- otherThe injured garda received medical attention. (garda.ie)
- otherThe injured garda's injuries are not life-threatening. (garda.ie)
- otherGarda welfare services have been made available and activated. (garda.ie)
- otherGarda sources said the liquid was an ammonia-like substance. (rte.ie)
- otherThe car had been reported stolen in the Dublin area earlier that month. (rte.ie, irishtimes.com)
- otherThe Minister for Justice strongly condemned the attack. (rte.ie)
- otherThe garda was treated in the Mater hospital for non-life threatening injuries and then released. (irishtimes.com)
- otherGarda welfare services were made available to the injured officer. (irishtimes.com)
- otherBoth occupants of the car fled on foot. (irishtimes.com)
- otherA Fianna Fáil Seanad spokesperson condemned the attack and called for mandatory minimum prison terms for assaulting emergency service members. (irishtimes.com)
- otherPoliticians condemned the attack. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe garda was temporarily blind after the chemical was sprayed into his eyes and must attend a follow-up appointment with an eye specialist. (thejournal.ie)
- otherHarrison maintains her innocence through her barrister. (thejournal.ie)
- otherHarrison was granted legal aid. (thejournal.ie)
- otherThe defence said her trial may not be heard until 2025 or 2026 because of current delays. (thejournal.ie)
- otherBoth gardaí were injured, attended hospital and remained off duty. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe accused was allegedly a passenger in the car before it stopped. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe accused had not rented the vehicle and did not drive the car, the sergeant accepted. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe accused maintains her innocence. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe sergeant accepted that the accused had not rented the vehicle and did not drive the car. (thejournal.ie)
- otherThe defence says the accused maintains her innocence. (thejournal.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 27 Sep2023Woman charged after garda 'temporarily blind' after being sprayed with chemical substance
Adds that Frances Harrison was charged with assaulting the officer and with a connected offence of being a passenger in a stolen rental GoCar, that she was remanded in continuing custody to 25 October, that she maintains her innocence, and that gardaí will recommend the case be dealt with on indictment. Gives the incident time as 9.45pm on 21 September.
accused, Frances Harrison, 31, female, named, irish (judged from name)Frances Harrisonvictim, male - 25 Sep2023Garda hospitalised after chemical attack during attempted arrest
Reports the garda's hospital treatment for non-serious injuries and the arrest of a woman in her 30s; the second occupant of the car is not identified.
victim, 20s, malesuspect, 30s, female - 23 Sep2023Woman accused of spraying garda with ‘unknown chemical substance’
Reports the charges, the alleged use of an unknown chemical spray on a garda, the bail refusal and remand, and the accused's denial of guilt.
accused, Frances Harrison, 31, female, named, irish (judged from name)Frances Harrisonvictim - 23 Sep2023Woman accused of using chemical spray to 'temporarily blind' garda in Dublin attack
Adds that Harrison was refused bail and remanded in custody at Dublin District Court, that the garda was temporarily blind and needs eye specialist follow-up, that she is also accused of being a passenger in a stolen GoCar, and that gardaí will recommend the case be dealt with on indictment.
accused, Frances Harrison, 31, female, named, irish (judged from name)Frances Harrisonvictim - 22 Sep2023Pictured: Dramatic moment ammonia attack suspect flees Gardai
Adds that the woman was a passenger in a hire car reported stolen, that the car was forensically examined, that the male driver assaulted the garda and fled and was still at large, that the garda's injuries were not life-threatening and he was discharged from hospital, that the woman was detained at City Centre Garda Station, and that politicians condemned the attack.
victim, 20s, malesuspect, 30s, femalesuspect, male - 22 Sep2023Garda injured in ammonia attack after stopping stolen car in Dublin released from hospital
Adds that the garda was released from hospital, that the car had been reported stolen and may have been used in an earlier burglary, that both occupants fled on foot, the arrested woman's age and the offence she was detained for, and a politician's call for mandatory minimum sentences.
victim, 20s, malesuspect, 30s, female - 22 Sep2023Woman arrested after garda assaulted in Dublin
First report of the incident. Adds the arrest of a woman in her 30s, the description of the assault with an ammonia-like substance, the garda's facial injuries, the stolen car, and the Minister for Justice's condemnation.
suspect, 30s, femalevictim, 20s, male - 22 Sep2023Assault on Gardaí and Stolen Car Recovery - Dublin 8 - September 22, 2023
Adds that the car was reported stolen earlier that month and was recovered, that both occupants fled on foot, that the injured garda's injuries are not life-threatening, that welfare services were activated, and that the woman is detained at City Centre Garda Station under the cited Acts. Does not mention a chemical spray.
suspect, thirties, femalevictim, twenties, male - 22 Sep2023Garda injured after being assaulted by suspect driving stolen car
Adds that the car was suspected to be stolen, that the driver allegedly attacked an officer before both occupants fled on foot, that the incident happened at about 8.45pm, that the garda's injuries were non-life threatening, and that the vehicle was recovered for forensic examination.
victim, 20s, malesuspect, 30s, female - 22 Sep2023Garda Hospitalised Following Late-Night Attack In Dublin
The article body is unrendered search-template code. The only usable content is the headline, which gives no date, suspect or arrest. It is not clearly the same incident as case 19758, which describes a liquid thrown from a car and an arrest, so it is not matched.
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