Sunday 1 November 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. 7018Assault · Co. Louth · 23 Jan 2021

Garda assault case referred to High Court in Drogheda

Ryan McGlone was drinking near a supermarket and became involved in a dispute with a third party on 23 January 2021 at Matthews Lane, Drogheda, Co Louth. Two serving gardaí, Tony King and Gareth O'Reilly, are charged with assaulting him while on duty, with King facing one count of Section 3 assault causing harm and O'Reilly two counts of Section 2 assault. At a special sitting of Drogheda District Court in March 2023, District Judge Michèle Finan ruled key CCTV evidence inadmissible due to a broken chain of evidence. The case was referred to the High Court in November 2023 and adjourned to 25 March 2024.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court10 Mar
    2 reports
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
The alleged victim was drinking near a supermarket and became involved in a dispute with a third party.
Where
The alleged assault took place at Matthews Lane, Drogheda, Co Louth.
When
The alleged assault took place on 23 January 2021.
Investigation
  • The case was prosecuted by the DPP following a GSOC probe.
  • A garda and a GSOC officer visited the house that captured the incident on CCTV on 25 February 2021, more than a month after the incident, and the footage was downloaded and given to GSOC.
Other details
The householder had refused to provide a statement.
Charges
  • Garda Tony King is charged with one count of Section 3 assault causing harm.
  • Garda Gareth O'Reilly is charged with two counts of Section 2 assault.
In court
  • Two serving gardaí appeared before a special sitting of Drogheda District Court charged with assault while on duty.
  • District Judge Michèle Finan ruled the CCTV inadmissible due to a broken chain of evidence.
  • The case was referred to the High Court in November 2023 and adjourned to 25 March 2024.
20 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe alleged victim was drinking near a supermarket and became involved in a dispute with a third party. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe assault is alleged to have happened at Matthews Lane in Drogheda, Co Louth. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe alleged assault took place on 23 January 2021. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe case was prosecuted by the DPP following a GSOC probe. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGda Det Donagh Mannix and a GSOC officer visited the house that captured the incident on CCTV on 25 February 2021, more than a month after the incident. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe CCTV was downloaded and given to GSOC. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe prosecution followed a GSOC probe. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationA garda and a GSOC officer visited the house that allegedly captured the incident on CCTV on February 25, 2021, more than a month later. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeGarda Tony King was charged with one count of Section Three Assault. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeGarda Tony King is charged with one count of Section 3 assault causing harm. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeGarda Gareth O’Reilly is charged with two counts of Section 2 assault. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeThe case against the two serving gardaí charged with assault while on duty was referred to the High Court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtTwo serving gardaí appeared before a special sitting of Drogheda District Court charged with assault while on duty. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtDistrict Judge Michèle Finan ruled the CCTV was inadmissible. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe case was adjourned until 21 March 2023 for mention. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe proceedings were halted over a dispute about the admissibility of key CCTV evidence. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtDistrict Court Judge Michele Finan ruled the CCTV inadmissible. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe case was formally sent to the High Court at Drogheda District Court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceThe case was adjourned for an update on 25 March 2024. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe householder had refused to provide a statement. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 28 Nov2023
    In courtirishmirror.ie, first report
    Case against gardai charged with assault while on duty referred to High Court

    Adds that the case against the two gardaí was formally sent to the High Court over the provenance of CCTV footage, that the judge had ruled the CCTV inadmissible, and that the case is adjourned to 25 March 2024.

    accused, Tony King, named, irish (judged from name)Tony Kingaccused, Gareth O'Reilly, named, irish (judged from name)Gareth O'Reillyvictim, Ryan McGlone, irish (judged from name)Ryan McGlone
  2. 10 Mar2023
    In courtirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    Two serving gardai charged with assault as CCTV is ruled inadmissible in court

    Reports on the court hearing where CCTV evidence was ruled inadmissible due to broken chain of evidence; prosecution applied for the High Court to decide on admissibility; case adjourned to 21 March 2023 for mention.

    victim, Ryan McGlone, irish (judged from name)Ryan McGloneaccused, Tony King, named, irish (judged from name)Tony Kingaccused, Gareth O'Reilly, named, irish (judged from name)Gareth O'Reilly