Ireland Man given suspended consecutive term for assault on RTÉ cameraman outside Dublin courthouse
On 22 December 2022, Matthew Coward (32), formerly of Shantalla Drive, Santry, allegedly assaulted Micheál Mac Suibhne, an RTÉ cameraman, outside the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin as Coward left a hearing while on bail. In November, Coward was given a three-year sentence for secretly filming young girls at a swimming complex. On 3 April 2024, Coward pleaded guilty by video-link at Dublin District Court to assaulting Mac Suibhne. Judge Michele Finan imposed a consecutive four-month sentence but suspended it, on condition that he does not reoffend within 12 months of his release in 2026.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced3 Apr
2 reports
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Matthew Coward (32), formerly of Shantalla Drive, Santry, pleaded guilty to assaulting Micheál Mac Suibhne, an RTÉ cameraman.
- Coward hit Mac Suibhne twice with his shoulder and was abusive to him before walking away.
- Other details
- Sources differ on whether Mac Suibhne fell: one says he stumbled into a tree and dropped his camera battery, the other says he did not fall but dropped his camera.
- Mac Suibhne said an attempt was made to push him out in front of traffic on Infirmary Road.
- Coward's solicitor said the assault happened during an extremely stressful time and that he reacted very poorly.
- In November, Coward received a separate three-year sentence for secretly filming young girls at a swimming complex.
- Where
- The incident happened outside the Criminal Courts of Justice as Coward left a hearing and walked up Infirmary Road.
- When
- The assault took place on 22 December 2022.
- Cause
- Mac Suibhne followed and recorded Coward as he left the hearing.
- In court
- Coward was on bail at the time of the assault.
- Coward pleaded guilty by video-link at Dublin District Court on 3 April 2024.
- Sentence
- Judge Michele Finan imposed a consecutive four-month sentence but suspended it.
- The suspension is conditional on Coward not reoffending within 12 months of his release in 2026.
19 statements extracted from the articles
- whatMatthew Coward pleaded guilty to assaulting Micheál Mac Suibhne. (irishtimes.com)
- whatCoward hit Mac Suibhne twice with his shoulder, causing him to stumble into a tree. (irishtimes.com)
- whatCoward shouldered the cameraman twice. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe cameraman stumbled into a tree and dropped his camera battery. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatCoward was abusive to the cameraman and walked away. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe incident happened outside the Criminal Courts of Justice as Coward left a hearing. (irishtimes.com)
- whereCoward walked up Infirmary Road after leaving the hearing. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe incident occurred as Coward left the Criminal Courts of Justice and walked up Infirmary Road. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe assault took place on 22 December 2022. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe assault happened on 22 December 2022. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeMac Suibhne followed and recorded Coward as he left the hearing. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe case was heard at Dublin District Court, with the plea entered by video-link. (irishtimes.com)
- courtCoward pleaded guilty at Dublin District Court to assaulting the RTÉ cameraman. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtCoward was on bail at the time of the assault. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceJudge Michele Finan imposed a consecutive four-month sentence but suspended it. (irishtimes.com)
- otherMac Suibhne did not fall but dropped his camera. (irishtimes.com)
- otherMac Suibhne said an attempt was made to push him out in front of traffic on Infirmary Road. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe cameraman said he was nearly pushed into traffic on Infirmary Road. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherCoward's solicitor said the assault happened during an extremely stressful time and that he reacted very poorly. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 3 Apr2024Jailed swim coach who secretly filmed young girls admits RTE cameraman attack
Covers the guilty plea and sentencing for the December 2022 assault on the cameraman. It does not add to Coward's separate three-year sentence for sexual exploitation and child pornography offences, which the article mentions only in passing.
convicted, Matthew Coward, 32, male, named, irish (judged from name)Matthew Cowardvictim, Micheál Mac Suibhne, male, irish (judged from name)Micheál Mac Suibhne - 3 Apr2024Man serving sentence for secretly filming young girls given suspended term for attack on RTÉ cameraman
Reports the guilty plea and the sentencing for the December 2022 assault on the RTÉ cameraman, including the suspended four-month consecutive term and the victim impact statement.
convicted, Matthew Coward, 32, male, named, irish (judged from name)Matthew Cowardvictim, Micheál Mac Suibhne, male, irish (judged from name)Micheál Mac Suibhne