Wednesday 28 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. 7191Assault on a peace officer (garda) · Co. Wicklow · 12 Oct 2020

Man jailed for 18 months for punching garda in Newcastle, Co Wicklow

Dylan Ford (25) of Kilcoole, Co Wicklow, was arrested after he punched Garda Alan Thompson three times to the side of the head near the Top Oil service station in Newcastle, Co Wicklow, on October 12, 2020, when Thompson tried to detain him. Ford was also charged with two public order offences from the same incident, which were dealt with at District Court level. Ford pleaded guilty at Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court on the day he was due to face a jury trial, and on November 3, 2023 he was sentenced to three years in prison with the final 18 months suspended, leaving 18 months to serve.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced3 Nov
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Dylan Ford pleaded guilty to assaulting a peace officer.
  • Garda Alan Thompson was punched three times to the side of the head by Ford when Thompson tried to detain him.
Where
The assault happened near the Top Oil service station in Newcastle, Co Wicklow.
When
The assault happened on October 12, 2020.
Cause
Gardaí had been alerted to suspicious activity about a vehicle at the garage forecourt that evening.
Weapon
Ford admitted ownership of a knife found in the car before running away from the scene.
Investigation
Ford made a voluntary statement accepting responsibility but said he had no recollection of the incident because he was under the influence of cocaine.
Charges
Ford was charged with assaulting a peace officer and two public order offences from the same incident, and the public order offences were dealt with at District Court level.
In court
  • The case was heard at Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court, where Ford pleaded guilty on the day he was due to face a jury trial.
  • Ford had 12 previous convictions, including four for threatening behaviour, and committed seven further offences while on bail for this charge.
  • The defence said Ford had difficult personal circumstances and mental health issues, and that he had apologised and expressed remorse.
Sentence
On November 3, 2023, Ford was sentenced to three years in prison, with the final 18 months suspended on condition that he engage with the Probation Service and follow its direction on drug treatment referrals after release, so 18 months is to be served.
Other details
  • Garda Thompson was off sick for three months and could not return to full duties for a further three months.
  • Garda Thompson continued to suffer dizziness, headaches and panic attacks after the assault.
17 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatDylan Ford pleaded guilty to assaulting a peace officer. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatFord admitted ownership of a knife found in the car before running away. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatGarda Alan Thompson was punched three times to the side of the head by Ford when he tried to detain him. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe assault happened near the Top Oil service station in Newcastle, Co Wicklow. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe assault happened on October 12, 2020. (irishmirror.ie)
  • causeGardaí had been alerted to suspicious activity about a vehicle at the garage forecourt that evening. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationFord made a voluntary statement accepting responsibility but said he had no recollection of the incident because he was under the influence of cocaine. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeFord was also charged with two public order offences from the same incident, which were dealt with at District Court level. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard at Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtFord pleaded guilty only on the day he was due to face a jury trial. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtFord had 12 previous convictions, including four for threatening behaviour. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtFord committed seven further offences while on bail for this charge. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe defence said Ford had difficult personal circumstances and mental health issues, and had apologised and expressed remorse. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceFord was sentenced to three years in prison. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceThe final 18 months of the sentence was suspended on condition that Ford engage with the Probation Service and follow its direction on drug treatment referrals after release. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherGarda Thompson was off sick for three months and could not return to full duties for a further three months. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe victim continued to suffer dizziness, headaches and panic attacks after the assault. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 3 Nov2023
    Sentencedirishmirror.ie, first report
    Man, 25, who punched garda in the head jailed for 18 months

    Reports the sentencing: three years in total with the final 18 months suspended on conditions, so 18 months to serve. The 2020 incident is not in the existing case list.

    convicted, Dylan Ford, 25, male, named, irish (judged from name)Dylan Fordvictim, Alan Thompson, irish (judged from name)Alan Thompson