Thursday 29 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. 8857Assault causing harm · Co. Dublin · 2 Nov 2024

Garda acquitted of assaulting teenager at Holles Street fight

On 2 November 2024 a large fight took place near Holles Street Maternity Hospital, near Merrion Square in Dublin, and a 17-year-old man was alleged to have been assaulted by Garda Bernard Briody. Briody was charged with assault causing harm and pleaded not guilty. The trial was held before Judge John Hughes at Dublin District Court, where the judge found the case was not proved beyond reasonable doubt and cited contradictions in witness evidence. The garda was acquitted, as reported on 1 July 2026.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Acquitted1 Jul
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A garda was accused of assaulting a 17-year-old man during a large-scale fight.
Where
The incident happened near Holles Street Maternity Hospital, near Merrion Square, in Dublin.
When
The alleged assault took place on 2 November 2024.
Weapon
The teenager was armed with a knuckleduster at the scene.
Other details
  • The teenager said he had the knuckleduster because of "all stuff going on with migrants, Dublin isn't safe".
  • thejournal.ie reported the verdict on 1 July 2026.
Investigation
The Garda Ombudsman investigator could not obtain CCTV of the incident because hospital cameras did not cover the junction.
Charges
Garda Bernard Briody was charged with assault causing harm and pleaded not guilty.
In court
  • The trial was held before Judge John Hughes at Dublin District Court.
  • The judge found the case was not proved beyond reasonable doubt, citing contradictions in witness evidence.
Sentence
The garda was acquitted.
7 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe incident happened near Holles Street Maternity Hospital near Merrion Square. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenThe alleged assault took place on 2 November 2024. (thejournal.ie)
  • weaponThe teenager was armed with a knuckleduster at the scene of a large fight. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationThe Garda Ombudsman investigator could not obtain CCTV of the incident because hospital cameras did not cover the junction. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeGarda Bernard Briody pleaded not guilty to assault causing harm on 2 November 2024. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe trial took place before Judge John Hughes at Dublin District Court. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge found the case was not proved beyond a reasonable doubt and acquitted the garda. (thejournal.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 1 Jul2026
    Acquittedthejournal.ie, first report
    Garda acquitted of assaulting teenager who was armed with knuckleduster at large-scale fight

    Reports the verdict at Dublin District Court: the garda was acquitted, with the judge citing a lack of proof beyond reasonable doubt and contradictions in witness evidence.

    accused, Bernard Briody, male, named, irish (judged from name)Bernard Briodyvictim, 17, male