Ireland Case No. 16016Assault on a garda; public order offences · Co. Kilkenny · 23 Jun 2024
Man jailed for five months over assault on garda in Kilkenny
On 23 June 2024 at Lover's Lane, Kilkenny, gardaí responded to a report of a man lying on the road in an intoxicated state, and an assault on garda Mark McGrath in a cell is reported. William Fitzgerald of no fixed abode was remanded in custody from 24 June 2024. On 20 September 2024 Kilkenny District Court convicted him of being intoxicated in a public place and of threatening, insulting or abusive behaviour, and imposed a five-month sentence backdated to 24 June 2024.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced20 Sep
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- One article reports a conviction for assaulting garda Mark McGrath, who was struck once on the back of the head with a closed fist in a cell.
- Where
- The incident took place at Lover's Lane, Kilkenny.
- When
- The incident happened on 23 June 2024, when gardaí received the report at 2pm.
- Cause
- Gardaí were called to a report of a man lying on the road in an intoxicated state and refusing to move.
- Investigation
- There was no CCTV of the cell area where the alleged assault took place.
- Charges
- The defendant was convicted of being intoxicated in a public place and of engaging in threatening, insulting or abusive behaviour.
- The sentencing article describes the defendant as convicted of assaulting a garda, but the specific convictions listed are the public order offences.
- In court
- The case was heard at Kilkenny District Court, with the sentence reported on 20 September 2024.
- Sentence
- The judge imposed a five-month prison sentence, backdated to 24 June 2024.
- Other details
- The garda was not injured and was not given medical attention.
- The defence said the defendant had been pinned against the wall by the neck in the cell and had said he would strike a garda if not released.
- The court heard the defendant has 156 previous convictions.
- The defendant has secured a place in a treatment centre but needs to reduce his methadone first.
- The defendant had been remanded in custody since 24 June 2024.
13 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe defendant struck a garda on the back of the head with a closed fist in the cell. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- whereThe incident took place at Lover’s Lane, Kilkenny. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- whenThe incident happened on 23 June 2024. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- investigationThere was no CCTV of the cell area where the alleged assault took place. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- chargeThe defendant was convicted of being intoxicated in a public place. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- chargeThe defendant was convicted of engaging in threatening, insulting or abusive behaviour. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- courtThe case was heard at Kilkenny District Court. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- sentenceThe judge imposed a five-month sentence. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- otherThe garda was hit once and was not injured or given medical attention. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- otherThe defence said the defendant had been pinned against the wall by the neck in the cell and had said he would strike a garda if not released. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- otherThe court heard the defendant has 156 previous convictions. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- otherThe defendant has secured a place in a treatment centre but needs to reduce his methadone first. (kilkennypeople.ie)
- otherThe defendant had been remanded in custody since 24 June. (kilkennypeople.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 20 Sep2024Five-month prison sentence for assault on Kilkenny garda
Reports the Kilkenny District Court conviction and five-month sentence, backdated to June 24, 2024, after evidence from two gardaí and submissions from the defence solicitor.
convicted, William Fitzgerald, male, named, irish (judged from name)William Fitzgeraldvictim, Mark McGrath, male, irish (judged from name)Mark McGrath