Friday 30 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. 14853Assault · Co. Dublin

Garda awarded €8,000 in damages after colleague punched him in Dublin pub

On 28 March 2022, after a gathering of gardaí from Lucan Garda Station, Garda Denis Lordan had his nose broken by a colleague, Garda Ronan O'Shaughnessy, in Ryan's Bar on Lower Camden Street, Dublin. Lordan told the court the punch was unprovoked, while O'Shaughnessy said he lashed out in self-defence after Lordan allegedly tried to throttle him. Lordan sued O'Shaughnessy in the Circuit Civil Court for €60,000 in damages for assault, and judgment was reserved for the next morning. On 22 January 2025 the judge awarded Lordan €8,000, cut from just over €13,000 because Lordan was found 40% to blame, plus District Court costs against O'Shaughnessy.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court21 Jan
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Garda Denis Lordan had his nose broken when a colleague, Garda Ronan O'Shaughnessy, punched him during a night out.
Where
The punch happened in Ryan's Bar on Lower Camden Street, Dublin, after the group moved there from Cassidy's Pub.
When
The gathering of Lucan Garda Station gardaí took place after work on 28 March 2022.
Cause
Two gardaí, O'Shaughnessy and Probation Garda Aisling Walsh, had a romantic break-up before the incident, and the two men had drunk an extraordinary amount of alcohol.
Other details
  • Lordan said the punch was unprovoked and came without warning, while O'Shaughnessy said he lashed out in self-defence after Lordan confronted him and allegedly tried to throttle him.
  • Lordan's counsel said he was left with a permanent but minor disfigurement to his nose.
Investigation
Garda authorities were not aware of the after-hours drinking or the assault until summonses were served on garda witnesses.
Charges
Lordan sued O'Shaughnessy for €60,000 in damages for assault in a civil claim, not a criminal charge.
In court
  • The case was heard in the Circuit Civil Court before Judge Michael Walsh, who reserved judgment for the next morning.
  • The judge did not think the assault should attract extra aggravated damages and said the incident should never have reached court.
Sentence
  • Lordan was awarded just over €13,000, which the judge cut to €8,000 because Lordan was 40% to blame.
  • The judge awarded Lordan District Court costs against O'Shaughnessy.
23 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA garda had his nose broken by a colleague during a night out. (rte.ie)
  • whatLordan said O’Shaughnessy punched him unprovoked, breaking his nose. (rte.ie)
  • whatA garda's nose was broken when a colleague punched him in Ryans Bar in Dublin. (thejournal.ie)
  • whereThe punch happened in Ryan’s Bar on Lower Camden Street, Dublin. (rte.ie)
  • whereThe punch took place in Ryans Bar on Lower Camden Street in Dublin. (thejournal.ie)
  • whereAfter midnight the group moved from Cassidy’s Pub to the nearby Ryans Bar. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenThe gathering of gardaí took place after work on 28 March 2022. (rte.ie)
  • whenThe incident happened in March 2022. (thejournal.ie)
  • causeThere had been a romantic break-up between two gardaí before the incident. (rte.ie)
  • causeThe two men had drunk an extraordinary amount of alcohol before the incident. (thejournal.ie)
  • causeO’Shaughnessy said he panicked and lashed out when Lordan allegedly tried to throttle him. (thejournal.ie)
  • investigationGarda authorities were not aware of the after-hours drinking or the assault until summonses were served on garda witnesses. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard in the Circuit Civil Court. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe judge said he would deliver judgment the next morning. (rte.ie)
  • courtLordan sued O’Shaughnessy for €60,000 in damages for assault. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe judge did not think the assault should attract extra aggravated damages. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceLordan was awarded just over €13,000, which the judge cut to €8,000 because Lordan was 40% to blame. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge awarded Lordan District Court costs against O’Shaughnessy. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherLordan is suing O’Shaughnessy for €60,000 in damages for assault. (rte.ie)
  • otherO’Shaughnessy said he lashed out in self-defence after Lordan confronted him. (rte.ie)
  • otherLordan said the punch came without warning. (rte.ie)
  • otherThe judge said the incident involving a closely knit garda unit should never have reached court. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherLordan's counsel said he was left with a permanent but minor disfigurement to his nose. (thejournal.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 22 Jan2025
    Otherthejournal.ie, first report
    Garda awarded €8,000 after punch from colleague in Dublin pub left him with a broken nose

    Reports the civil damages judgment: €8,000 awarded after a 40% reduction for contributory negligence, plus District Court costs against O’Shaughnessy.

    victim, Denis Lordan, male, irish (judged from name)Denis Lordansuspect, Ronan O'Shaughnessy, male, named, irish (judged from name)Ronan O'Shaughnessy
  2. 21 Jan2025
    In courtrte.ie, follow-up
    Garda broke colleague's nose during night out, court told

    Reports the hearing of Lordan's €60,000 damages claim, including O’Shaughnessy's self-defence account and the disputed background to the night, and that judgment would be delivered the next morning.

    victim, Denis Lordan, male, irish (judged from name)Denis Lordansuspect, Ronan O'Shaughnessy, male, named, irish (judged from name)Ronan O'Shaughnessy