Ireland Man jailed for assault causing harm to garda in Bundoran patrol car
On the evening of 21 July 2021, Garda Fiachra O'Hara went alone to a reported public order incident at a Supervalu car park in Bundoran, Co Donegal, where John Martin Ward, 40, approached him and attacked him in his patrol car. Ward was arrested after presenting himself at Ballyshannon Garda Station and later pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to Garda O'Hara. At Donegal Circuit Court, Judge John Aylmer reduced the suggested sentence from three years to two. Ward was jailed for 15 months after the final nine months were suspended, on conditions including alcohol abstinence for 18 months after release, probation engagement and addiction counselling, as reported on 15 December 2023.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced15 Dec
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Ward pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to Garda Fiachra O'Hara.
- Ward tried to pull the keys from the patrol car, and the garda struggled with him.
- Ward grabbed and twisted the garda's thumb.
- Where
- The attack took place at a Supervalu car park in Bundoran, Co Donegal, where a large crowd had gathered beside a caravan.
- When
- Gardaí attended the scene on the evening of 21 July 2021.
- Cause
- Garda O'Hara went alone to answer reports of a public order incident.
- Other details
- The garda's hand was too injured to use his pepper spray.
- Ward said he had no recollection of the attack.
- In his victim impact statement, the garda described the attack as the most frightening experience of his career.
- Investigation
- Ward was arrested after presenting himself at Ballyshannon Garda Station.
- In court
- The case was heard at Donegal Circuit Court before Judge John Aylmer, who said the maximum sentence for the offence was five years.
- Sentence
- The initial suggested sentence of three years was reduced to two years.
- The final nine months were suspended, so Ward will serve 15 months in jail, with conditions including alcohol abstinence for 18 months after release.
- Ward was ordered to engage with the probation services and undertake addiction counselling.
16 statements extracted from the articles
- whatWard pleaded to assault causing harm to Garda O'Hara. (donegallive.ie)
- whatGarda O'Hara went alone to answer reports of a public order incident. (donegallive.ie)
- whatWard tried to pull the keys from the patrol car and the garda struggled with him. (donegallive.ie)
- whatWard grabbed and twisted the garda's thumb. (donegallive.ie)
- whereThe attack took place in Bundoran. (donegallive.ie)
- whenGardaí attended the scene on the evening of July 21, 2021. (donegallive.ie)
- investigationWard was arrested after presenting himself at Ballyshannon Garda Station. (donegallive.ie)
- courtThe case was heard at Donegal Circuit Court before Judge John Aylmer. (donegallive.ie)
- courtThe judge said the maximum sentence for the offence was five years. (donegallive.ie)
- sentenceThe initial suggested sentence of three years was reduced to two years. (donegallive.ie)
- sentenceThe final nine months of the sentence were suspended, so Ward will serve 15 months in jail. (donegallive.ie)
- sentenceA condition of the suspension is that Ward abstain from alcohol for 18 months after release. (donegallive.ie)
- sentenceWard was ordered to engage with the probation services and undertake addiction counselling. (donegallive.ie)
- otherThe garda's hand was too injured to use his pepper spray. (donegallive.ie)
- otherWard said he had no recollection of the attack. (donegallive.ie)
- otherThe garda's victim impact statement described the attack as the most frightening experience of his career. (donegallive.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 15 Dec2023Garda felt like a 'prisoner' in patrol car in Bundoran attack
Sentencing report for an assault on a garda in Bundoran in July 2021. It does not match the existing Bundoran cases, which concern a December 2022 incident.
convicted, John Martin Ward, 40, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Martin Wardvictim, Fiachra O'Hara, male, irish (judged from name)Fiachra O'Hara