Ireland Judge reserves decision in case of Garda sergeant charged with assault and attempting to pervert course of justice
Sgt William Doyle, 52, of Waterford Garda station, is charged with simple assault and attempting to pervert the course of justice over an alleged assault on a man in his 20s at Waterford Garda station on 9 March 2022. The man had been arrested on suspicion of an assault at about 6am that day, and the perverting-the-course charge concerns an alleged instruction to amend a Garda record about the incident. Doyle strongly rejected the assault allegation and said he put his forearm across the man's chest to force him back into a chair after the man pulled off his tie. At Waterford District Court, Judge John O'Leary reserved his decision after two days of evidence and adjourned the matter until 5 July for a decision.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court7 Jun
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Sgt William Doyle, 52, of Waterford Garda station, is the accused.
- The prisoner, a man in his 20s, had been arrested on suspicion of an assault at about 6am that day.
- Where
- The alleged assault took place in Waterford Garda station.
- When
- The alleged assault on a prisoner took place on 9 March 2022.
- Other details
- Garda Rachel Pratt, the member in charge, testified that the man became very aggressive after being brought into the AFIS room at about 11am.
- Doyle strongly rejected the allegation that he assaulted the prisoner.
- Doyle said he put his forearm across the man's chest to force him back into the chair after the man pulled off his tie.
- Investigation
- Garda Rachel Pratt told GSOC investigators that she did not feel right about the custody record entry.
- Charges
- Doyle is charged with simple assault and attempting to pervert the course of justice.
- The perverting-the-course allegation concerns an alleged instruction to amend a Garda record about the incident involving the prisoner.
- In court
- Judge John O'Leary reserved his decision after two days of evidence at Waterford District Court.
- The judge adjourned the matter until 5 July for a decision.
11 statements extracted from the articles
- whatSgt William Doyle, 52, of Waterford Garda station, is the accused in the case. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe prisoner had been arrested on suspicion of an assault at about 6am that day. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe alleged assault took place in Waterford Garda station. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe alleged assault on a prisoner took place on 9 March 2022. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGarda Rachel Pratt told Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) investigators that she did not feel right about the custody record entry. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeDoyle is charged with simple assault and attempting to pervert the course of justice. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeThe pervert-the-course-of-justice allegation concerns an alleged instruction to amend a Garda record about an incident involving a prisoner. (irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge John O’Leary reserved his decision after two days of evidence. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe judge adjourned the matter until 5 July at Waterford District Court for a decision. (irishtimes.com)
- otherDoyle strongly rejected the allegation that he assaulted the prisoner. (irishtimes.com)
- otherDoyle said he put his forearm across the man’s chest to force him back into the chair after the man pulled off his tie. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 7 Jun2024Judge reserves decision on garda sergeant charged with assault and attempting to pervert course of justice
Court report on the second hearing in the case: the judge reserved his decision after two days of evidence and adjourned the matter to 5 July. It also sets out the defence and witness accounts.
accused, William Doyle, 52, male, named, irish (judged from name)William Doylevictim, 20s, male