Saturday 31 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 17924Assault causing harm · Co. Tipperary · 25 Mar 2022

Garda accused of assaulting colleague at Templemore Garda College goes before court

Killarney garda Patrick Curran (35), a man of Spunkane, Waterville, County Kerry, is charged with assault causing harm against fellow garda John Burke, a man, on 25 March 2022 at Templemore Garda College, Tipperary. The alleged incident happened the night before the Royal visit to Cashel in 2022, and Curran denies assaulting Burke. The case went to a second hearing at Thurles District Court, reported on 15 March 2024, where the judge ordered a witness recalled with questions limited to Garda O'Dowd's evidence. No arrest, sentence or later court date is reported in the sources.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court13 Mar
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Patrick Curran is charged with assault causing harm against John Burke.
Other details
  • Patrick Curran, 35, a man of Spunkane, Waterville, County Kerry, is a Killarney garda.
  • John Burke, a man, is the fellow garda whom Curran is accused of assaulting.
  • Some gardaí stationed in Cashel had stayed the night at the college and had been socialising in the town the evening before.
  • Curran denies assaulting Burke and told the court he does not know the garda member he is accused of assaulting.
  • Burke said he was attacked out of the blue, while Fitzmaurice alleges Burke pushed him in return, causing him to fall back and hit his head on the reading light.
Where
The alleged assault took place at Templemore Garda College, Tipperary.
When
  • The alleged assault is dated 25 March 2022.
  • The incident is alleged to have happened the night before the Royal visit to Cashel in 2022.
Investigation
The investigating inspector took statements from all parties.
In court
  • The case was heard at Thurles District Court at its second hearing, reported on 15 March 2024.
  • At the second hearing the defence recalled a witness, and Curran, Fitzmaurice and other gardaí gave evidence.
  • The judge ordered that the witness be recalled, with questions limited to matters arising from Garda O'Dowd's evidence.
9 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe case was heard at Thurles District Court. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • whenThe incident is alleged to have happened the night before the Royal visit to Cashel in 2022. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • investigationThe investigating inspector took statements from all parties. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • chargePatrick Curran is charged with assault causing harm at Templemore Garda College. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • courtThis was the second hearing of the case. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • courtThe judge ordered that the witness be recalled, with questions limited to matters arising from Garda O’Dowd’s evidence. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • otherCurran denies assaulting Burke. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • otherBurke said he was attacked out of the blue. (tipperarylive.ie)
  • otherFitzmaurice alleges that Burke pushed him in return, causing him to fall back and hit his head on the reading light. (tipperarylive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 13 Mar2024
    In courttipperarylive.ie, first report
    Guard tells Tipperary court he does not know the colleague he is accused of assaulting

    Reports the second hearing at Thurles District Court, where the defence recalled a witness and Curran, Fitzmaurice and other gardaí gave evidence.

    accused, Patrick Curran, 35, male, named, irish (judged from name)Patrick Curranvictim, John Burke, male, irish (judged from name)John Burke