Saturday 31 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. 21497Assault on a garda; failure to provide a specimen · Co. Laois · 25 Nov 2022

Man admits assaulting garda after stop for driving without lights in Laois

On 25 November 2022, Martin Dunne, 38, of Portlaoise, was stopped by gardaí for driving without lights and then refused to provide a specimen. He pushed Garda Roy Cooper against a wall, causing very minor soft tissue injuries. At Portlaoise Court, Dunne admitted assaulting Garda Cooper and failing to provide a specimen, and in April 2023 he was disqualified from driving for four years and fined a total of €300. The judge directed a €1,000 donation to the garda benevolent fund and postponed the driving ban until July 1.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced14 Apr
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Martin Dunne, 38, admitted assaulting Garda Roy Cooper and failing to provide a specimen.
Where
The offences took place at Portlaoise Garda Station, County Laois.
When
The offences occurred on 25 November 2022.
Cause
Gardaí stopped the defendant because he was driving without lights on.
Weapon
No weapon is mentioned in the case facts or articles.
Investigation
  • Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby told the court the garda suffered very minor soft tissue injuries when he was pushed against a wall.
  • After being stopped, the man refused to provide a specimen.
Charges
Dunne admitted assaulting Garda Cooper and failing to provide a specimen.
In court
  • The defendant had 12 previous convictions, the most recent dating from 2009.
  • The defendant's solicitor said he had written a letter of apology to Garda Cooper.
Sentence
  • Dunne was disqualified from driving for four years and fined a total of €300.
  • The judge directed that €1,000 be donated to the garda benevolent fund.
  • The driving ban was postponed until July 1.
Other details
The court report was published on 16 April 2023, while the tracker lists the article date as 14 April 2023.
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe garda suffered very minor soft tissue injuries when he was pushed against a wall. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whereThe offences took place at Portlaoise Garda Station. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • whenThe offences occurred on 25 November, as stated in the article as "last". (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • causeGardaí stopped the defendant because he was driving without lights on. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • chargeMartin Dunne admitted assaulting Garda Roy Cooper and failing to provide a specimen. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe defendant was disqualified from driving for four years and fined a total of €300. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge directed that €1,000 be donated to the garda benevolent fund. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe driving ban was postponed until July 1. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherAfter being stopped, the man refused to provide a specimen. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe defendant had 12 previous convictions, the most recent dating from 2009. (leinsterexpress.ie)
  • otherThe defendant's solicitor said he had written a letter of apology to Garda Cooper. (leinsterexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 14 Apr2023
    Sentencedleinsterexpress.ie, first report
    Assaulted garda in Laois

    Court report on the sentencing of Martin Dunne, who admitted the assault and specimen offence. Adds the sentence, the €1,000 donation to the garda benevolent fund, the driving ban postponement and the defendant's previous convictions.

    convicted, Martin Dunne, 38, male, named, irish (judged from name)Martin Dunnevictim, Roy Cooper, irish (judged from name)Roy Cooper