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. 9457Assault · Co. Dublin · 26 Aug 2023

Garda superintendent on trial over alleged altercation at Dublin bar

Gavin O'Reilly, a Garda superintendent, is on trial over an alleged altercation near Panti Bar, a gay venue in Dublin, on 26 August 2023. A security guard alleges that the superintendent called him a racial slur after he asked him to move away from a heated verbal dispute with a bar manager. The superintendent was told he would be released pending further investigation after a sergeant arrived, and he was later charged with two assault offences. The court rejected a defence application to dismiss the two charges and refused a prosecution application for him to sit in the dock, and as reported on 22 May 2026 the trial was adjourned to continue the next day at 11 am.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court22 May
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Gavin O'Reilly, a Garda superintendent, is on trial over alleged assault.
  • A security guard alleges the superintendent called him a racial slur during an altercation.
Where
The incident is said to have happened near Panti Bar, a gay venue in Dublin, in County Dublin.
When
The incident is said to have happened on 26 August 2023.
Cause
The security guard says he asked the superintendent to move away after seeing him in a heated verbal dispute with a bar manager.
Investigation
  • The arresting garda says the superintendent refused to show his Garda ID when asked.
  • After a sergeant arrived, the superintendent was told he would be released pending further investigation.
Charges
The superintendent was charged with two offences.
In court
  • The court rejected the defence application to dismiss the two charges.
  • The court refused a prosecution application for the accused to sit in the dock for the hearing.
  • The trial was adjourned and will continue the next day at 11 am, as reported on 22 May 2026.
Sentence
No sentence has been reported, as the trial is ongoing.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA security guard alleges the superintendent called him a racial slur during an altercation. (gript.ie)
  • whereThe incident happened near Panti Bar, a gay venue in Dublin. (gript.ie)
  • whenThe incident is said to have happened on 26 August 2023. (gript.ie)
  • causeThe security guard says he asked the superintendent to move away after seeing him in a heated verbal dispute with a bar manager. (gript.ie)
  • investigationThe arresting garda says the superintendent refused to show his Garda ID when asked. (gript.ie)
  • investigationThe superintendent was told he would be released pending further investigation after a sergeant arrived. (gript.ie)
  • chargeTwo charges were brought against the superintendent. (gript.ie)
  • courtThe defence application to dismiss the two charges was rejected by the court. (gript.ie)
  • courtThe court refused a prosecution application for the accused to sit in the dock for the hearing. (gript.ie)
  • courtThe trial will continue the next day at 11 am. (gript.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 22 May2026
    In courtgript.ie, first report
    Superintendent faces assault charges re bar row - Gript

    Reports the ongoing trial, including witness evidence from the security guard and the arresting garda, the rejection of a defence application to dismiss the two charges, and the adjournment to the next day.

    accused, Gavin O'Reilly, male, named, irish (judged from name)Gavin O'Reilly