Ireland Case No. 24173Attempted coercion; impersonating a member of An Garda Síochána; assault; assault causing harm · Co. Dublin · 18 Sep 2021
Man jailed for impersonating garda and attempted coercion in Dublin
In the early hours of 18 September 2021, Declan McGowan, a 33-year-old builder from Athy, Co Kildare, told 25-year-old Romanian woman Andra Calauz he was a garda and tried to get her into his car on Kimmage Road Lower, Dublin, before choking her husband Daniel Ion when he arrived. McGowan was arrested by gardaí who arrived within minutes and was charged with attempted coercion, impersonating a member of An Garda Síochána, assault, and assault causing harm. He pleaded not guilty but was found guilty on all four counts by a jury at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 7 March 2022 after a four-day trial. On 4 November 2022, Judge Patricia Ryan sentenced him to three years in prison, backdated from when he went into custody.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court2 Mar
4 reports - Convicted7 Mar
5 reports - Sentenced4 Nov
5 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- McGowan told Calauz he was a garda, showed her something on his phone, told her she was beautiful, kissed her hand, hugged her, and repeatedly asked her to get into his car.
- When Daniel Ion arrived, McGowan choked him with one hand and told him to go back inside to his children or he would call Tusla.
- Where
- The incident took place at Kimmage Road Lower, Dublin.
- When
- The incident occurred at about 2.30am on 18 September 2021.
- Investigation
- Daniel Ion called gardaí who arrived within minutes and arrested McGowan.
- Charges
- McGowan was charged with attempted coercion, impersonating a member of An Garda Síochána, assault, and assault causing harm.
- In court
- The trial was heard before Judge Patricia Ryan and a jury at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in March 2022.
- McGowan was found guilty on all four counts on 7 March 2022 after a four-day trial.
- Sentence
- McGowan was sentenced to three years in prison, backdated from when he went into custody, on 4 November 2022.
- Other details
- McGowan is a 33-year-old builder from Branswood, Athy, Co Kildare.
- Andra Calauz is a 25-year-old Romanian national who has lived in Ireland for nine years.
- McGowan has 31 previous convictions including three for making threats to kill, two for assault causing harm, and a District Court conviction for impersonating a garda on 1 July 2019.
173 statements extracted from the articles
- whatDeclan McGowan pleaded not guilty to attempted coercion, assault, impersonating a garda, and assault causing harm. (irishtimes.com)
- whatAndra Caluz is a 25-year-old Romanian national living in Ireland for nine years. (irishtimes.com)
- whatMs Caluz was smoking a cigarette outside her apartment and talking on FaceTime to her husband Daniel Ion. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe man told her he was a garda and told her to get into the car. (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe took her by the hand, kissed it, and tried to get her to go into his car. (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe said he had a gun in the car. (irishtimes.com)
- whatWhen her husband came out, the man grabbed him by the throat. (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe said Ms Caluz was going with him and her husband should go home and look after the children. (irishtimes.com)
- whatDaniel Ion described being choked with one hand by Mr McGowan. (irishtimes.com)
- whatMr McGowan told Mr Ion to go to his children or he would call Tusla and they would be taken away. (irishtimes.com)
- whatDeclan McGowan is 33 years old and lives in Branswood, Athy, Co Kildare. (kildarenow.com)
- whatCalauz was having an argument with her husband on a video call on her mobile phone when the defendant pulled his car up beside her. (kildarenow.com)
- whatThe defendant told Calauz he was a garda and told her to get into his car. (kildarenow.com)
- whatThe defendant told Calauz she was beautiful, kissed her hand, and hugged her. (kildarenow.com)
- whatDaniel Ion testified that the defendant began choking him with one hand when he came down to his wife. (kildarenow.com)
- whatThe defendant told Ion he was a garda and that his wife was coming with him. (kildarenow.com)
- whatThe defendant told Ion he had a gun in his car. (kildarenow.com)
- whatIon contacted gardaí who arrived within minutes. (kildarenow.com)
- whatMcGowan told gardaí that the woman had told him she was in danger from her husband and he would bring her to a garda station. (kildarenow.com)
- whatMcGowan said he only restrained Ion after Ion struck the woman. (kildarenow.com)
- whatUnder cross-examination, both Ion and his wife separately denied McGowan's account of events. (kildarenow.com)
- whatMcGowan told the woman he was a garda and had a gun in the car. (thejournal.ie, irishtimes.com, leinsterexpress.ie, extra.ie)
- whatMcGowan told the woman she was beautiful, took her hand and kissed it, and hugged her. (thejournal.ie, leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatMcGowan repeatedly told the woman to get into his car. (thejournal.ie, irishtimes.com, leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatMcGowan choked Daniel Ion with one hand when Ion arrived on the scene. (thejournal.ie)
- whatMcGowan shouted at Ion to go back inside to his children or he would call Tusla. (thejournal.ie, irishtimes.com, kildarenow.com, extra.ie)
- whatDeclan McGowan is a builder (irishtimes.com)
- whatDeclan McGowan is 33 years old (irishtimes.com)
- whatMcGowan told the woman she was beautiful, took her hand, kissed it, and hugged her (irishtimes.com)
- whatMcGowan started choking Daniel Ion with one hand when Ion arrived at the scene (irishtimes.com)
- whatAndra Calauz was on the phone having an argument with her husband who was in their nearby home (irishtimes.com, leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatMcGowan told gardaí that Ion struck his wife in the face (irishtimes.com)
- whatMcGowan was found guilty on all four counts after a four-day trial. (kildarenow.com)
- whatMcGowan told Calauz he was a garda and had a gun in the car. (kildarenow.com)
- whatMcGowan told Calauz she was beautiful, took her hand and kissed it, and hugged her. (kildarenow.com)
- whatMcGowan repeatedly told Calauz to get into his car. (kildarenow.com)
- whatWhen Ion arrived, McGowan started choking him with one hand. (kildarenow.com)
- whatAfter his arrest, McGowan told gardaí the woman said she was in danger and her husband kept her locked in the apartment. (kildarenow.com)
- whatBoth Ion and Calauz denied McGowan's suggestions in their trial testimony. (kildarenow.com)
- whatMcGowan claimed he only restrained Ion to prevent him from attacking the woman again. (kildarenow.com, leinsterexpress.ie, extra.ie)
- whatMcGowan denied ever kissing or hugging the woman. (kildarenow.com)
- whatDeclan McGowan is a 33-year-old builder from Branswood, Athy, Co Kildare (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatMcGowan told gardaí he pulled his car up alongside the woman because he thought she was in danger (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatThe woman felt frightened and pressurised by McGowan (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatDaniel Ion said McGowan started choking him with one hand when he arrived on the scene (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatMcGowan was shouting at Ion to go back inside to his children or he would call Tusla and they would be taken away (leinsterexpress.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- whatMcGowan told gardaí the woman said her husband kept her locked in the apartment and she did not want to go back (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatBoth Daniel Ion and Andra Calauz denied McGowan's suggestions in their trial testimony (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatMcGowan said he told Ion he was going to call the guards when Ion threatened to shoot him (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatMcGowan is a builder (kildarenow.com)
- whatAndra Calauz stepped outside to have a cigarette following an argument with her husband and was on the phone with him when a car pulled up (kildarenow.com, leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatMcGowan told Ms Calauz he was a garda and showed her something on his phone which she took to be official identification (kildarenow.com)
- whatMcGowan paid Ms Calauz compliments, told her she was beautiful, took her hand, kissed it and hugged her (kildarenow.com)
- whatMcGowan asked Ms Calauz to get into his car and said he would take her to a garda station (kildarenow.com)
- whatMcGowan told Ms Calauz he would contact Tusla to arrange for her children to be taken into care (kildarenow.com, leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatMcGowan was shouting at Ion to go back inside to his children or he would call Tusla (kildarenow.com, leinsterexpress.ie, thejournal.ie)
- whatIon said to his wife in Romanian that she should not get into the car (kildarenow.com)
- whatIon left, called gardaí who arrived within minutes and arrested McGowan (kildarenow.com)
- whatMcGowan put his number in Ms Calauz's phone and made a call to his phone during the incident (kildarenow.com, leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatWhen gardaí arrived, McGowan denied he pretended to be a garda, saying he was going to call the gardaí (kildarenow.com)
- whatMcGowan admitted to gardaí that he had a wheelbrace in the car (kildarenow.com, irishtimes.com, leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatMs Calauz said she is unable to go out alone since the incident and the family have tried unsuccessfully to move home (kildarenow.com)
- whatIon suffered bruising to his neck, could not eat for two days, and had to leave his job (kildarenow.com)
- whatMcGowan is a local builder (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatAndra Calauz stepped outside to have a cigarette following an argument with her husband (leinsterexpress.ie, irishtimes.com, thejournal.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- whatCalauz was on the phone with her husband who was in their nearby home when a car pulled up (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatMcGowan told Calauz he was a garda and showed her something on his phone which she took to be official identification (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatMcGowan took Calauz's hand, kissed it and hugged her (leinsterexpress.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- whatMcGowan asked Calauz to get into his car and said he would take her to a garda station (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatMcGowan told Calauz he would contact Tusla to arrange for her children to be taken into care (leinsterexpress.ie, thejournal.ie, kildarenow.com, irishmirror.ie)
- whatDaniel Ion gave evidence that McGowan started choking him with one hand (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatMcGowan told the couple he would get a gun from his car to show them he was a garda (leinsterexpress.ie, irishtimes.com, thejournal.ie)
- whatMcGowan told her he was a garda and showed her something on his phone which she took as official identification (irishtimes.com, leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatMcGowan took her hand, kissed it and hugged her (irishtimes.com)
- whatMcGowan asked her to get into the car and said he would take her to a garda station (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe told Ms Calauz he would contact Tusla to arrange for her children to be taken into care (irishtimes.com)
- whatMcGowan started choking Daniel Ion with one hand when he arrived on the scene (irishtimes.com, thejournal.ie)
- whatDaniel Ion called gardaí who arrived within minutes and arrested McGowan (irishtimes.com)
- whatMs Calauz has been unable to go out alone since the incident (irishtimes.com)
- whatDaniel Ion suffered bruising to his neck and could not eat for two days (irishtimes.com)
- whatDaniel Ion had to leave his job following the events (irishtimes.com)
- whatMcGowan was found guilty of attempted coercion, impersonating a garda, assault and assault causing harm (thejournal.ie)
- whatMcGowan told Calauz he was a garda and showed her something on his phone which she took as official identification (thejournal.ie, kildarenow.com, irishmirror.ie)
- whatMcGowan paid Calauz compliments, told her she was beautiful, took her hand, kissed it and hugged her (thejournal.ie)
- whatMcGowan asked Calauz to get into the car and said he would take her to a garda station (thejournal.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- whatCalauz felt frightened and pressurised as McGowan asked her several times to get into his car (thejournal.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- whatIon told McGowan two or three times to let his wife go and told his wife in Romanian not to get into the car (thejournal.ie)
- whatAfter arrest, McGowan denied the assault charges and said he offered the woman a lift which was refused (thejournal.ie)
- whatMcGowan took Calauz's hand, kissed it, hugged her, and asked her to get into his car to take her to a garda station. (kildarenow.com)
- whatDaniel Ion gave evidence that McGowan started choking him with one hand when he arrived on the scene. (kildarenow.com, leinsterexpress.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- whatMr Ion told his wife in Romanian that she should not get into the car. (kildarenow.com, leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatMcGowan put his number in Calauz's phone and made a call to his phone during the incident. (kildarenow.com)
- whatCalauz said she has been unable to go out alone since the incident and the family tried unsuccessfully to move home. (kildarenow.com)
- whatMr Ion suffered bruising to his neck, could not eat for two days, and had to leave his job. (kildarenow.com)
- whatThe incident lasted around 15 minutes and took place on a public road near housing. (kildarenow.com, leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatMcGowan took her hand, kissed it and hugged her, then asked her to get into his car. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whereThe offences are alleged to have taken place at Kimmage Road Lower, Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe incident took place on Kimmage Road Lower in Dublin city. (thejournal.ie, kildarenow.com, leinsterexpress.ie)
- whereMcGowan lives in Branswood, Athy, County Kildare (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe incident took place on Kimmage Road Lower in Dublin (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe incident occurred on Kimmage Road Lower in south Dublin. (extra.ie)
- whereThe incident took place at Kimmage Road Lower, Dublin, in the early hours of September 18, 2021 (kildarenow.com)
- whereMcGowan is from Branswood, Athy, Co Kildare (kildarenow.com, thejournal.ie)
- whereThe incident occurred at Kimmage Road Lower, Dublin, in the early hours of 18 September 2021 (leinsterexpress.ie, irishtimes.com)
- whereMcGowan is from Branswood, Athy, County Kildare (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whereThe incident took place at Kimmage Road Lower, Dublin (thejournal.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe incident occurred at about 2.30am on 18 September 2021. (irishtimes.com)
- whenAndra Calauz was walking alone on Kimmage Rd Lower in Dublin city at around 2.30am. (kildarenow.com)
- whenThe incident occurred on the night of 18 September 2021. (thejournal.ie, irishtimes.com, kildarenow.com, leinsterexpress.ie)
- whenThe incident took place on the night of 18 September 2021. (extra.ie)
- whenThe incident occurred in the early hours of 18 September 2021 (thejournal.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- investigationIon called gardaí who arrived within minutes and arrested McGowan. (thejournal.ie, kildarenow.com, leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationMr Ion called gardaí who arrived within minutes and arrested McGowan. (kildarenow.com, leinsterexpress.ie)
- chargeMcGowan pleaded not guilty to attempting to coerce Andra Calauz on Kimmage Rd in Dublin city on the night of 18 September 2021. (kildarenow.com)
- chargeMcGowan pleaded not guilty to assaulting Andra Calauz by kissing and hugging her. (kildarenow.com)
- chargeMcGowan pleaded not guilty to impersonating a member of An Garda Síochána. (kildarenow.com)
- chargeMcGowan pleaded not guilty to assaulting Daniel Ion, causing him harm. (kildarenow.com)
- chargeMcGowan pleaded not guilty to attempted coercion, assault, impersonating a garda, and assault causing harm. (thejournal.ie, irishtimes.com, kildarenow.com, leinsterexpress.ie, extra.ie)
- chargeMcGowan was found guilty of attempted coercion, impersonating a member of An Garda Síochána, assault and assault causing harm (leinsterexpress.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- chargeHe was found guilty of attempted coercion, impersonating a garda, assault and assault causing harm (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe trial is being heard before Judge Patricia Ryan and a jury at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
- courtJohn Moher BL is prosecuting and Garnet Orange SC is defending. (irishtimes.com)
- courtA jury began deliberating in the trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. (kildarenow.com)
- courtThe trial was on day three at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, presided over by Judge Patricia Ryan. (kildarenow.com)
- courtThe jury was sent home for the weekend after under two hours of deliberations, with deliberations to resume Monday morning. (kildarenow.com)
- courtAfter a four-day trial, a jury took just short of three hours to return guilty verdicts on all four counts. (thejournal.ie, extra.ie)
- courtJudge Patricia Ryan remanded McGowan on continuing custody until 17 June for sentencing. (thejournal.ie)
- courtAfter a four-day trial, the jury took just under three hours to return guilty verdicts on all four counts (irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge Patricia Ryan remanded McGowan in continuing custody until 17 June for a sentencing hearing (irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge Patricia Ryan remanded McGowan in continuing custody until 17 June 2022 for a sentence hearing. (kildarenow.com)
- courtAfter a four-day trial, the jury took just short of three hours to return guilty verdicts on all four counts on 7 March 2022 (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtJudge Patricia Ryan remanded McGowan on continuing custody until 17 June 2022 for sentencing (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtJudge Patricia Ryan remanded McGowan in continuing custody until 17 June 2022 for sentencing. (extra.ie)
- courtMcGowan had pleaded not guilty to all counts but accepted the jury's verdicts (kildarenow.com)
- courtMcGowan was found guilty following a trial in March 2022 (leinsterexpress.ie, kildarenow.com)
- courtMcGowan had pleaded not guilty to all counts (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtMcGowan accepted the jury's verdicts at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 28 October 2022 (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe judge identified the tragic loss of the accused's partner, reports and letters, and personal circumstances as mitigating factors (thejournal.ie)
- courtJudge Patricia Ryan identified the previous conviction for impersonating a garda and adverse effects on both injured parties as aggravating factors. (kildarenow.com)
- courtMitigating factors included the tragic loss of the accused's partner, reports and letters, and personal circumstances. (kildarenow.com)
- courtJudge Patricia Ryan presided over the sentencing. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe trial took place in March 2022 and sentencing was in October 2022 at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtGarda Aaron Webb gave evidence and John Moher BL was prosecuting. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceMcGowan was sentenced to three years in prison, backdated from when he went into custody (irishtimes.com, thejournal.ie, kildarenow.com, irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceHe was sentenced to three years in prison, backdated from when he went into custody. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherThe defence suggested Mr McGowan had been driving past, saw her in distress, turned around and came to help her. (irishtimes.com)
- otherBoth Ion and his wife denied McGowan's suggestions in their trial testimony. (thejournal.ie)
- otherMcGowan claimed Ion struck his wife in the face when he arrived on the scene. (thejournal.ie, kildarenow.com, leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherMcGowan told gardaí he pulled up because he thought the woman was in danger. (extra.ie)
- otherAndra Calauz was on the phone arguing with her husband who was in their nearby home. (extra.ie)
- otherMcGowan told the woman she was beautiful, kissed her hand and hugged her. (extra.ie)
- otherThe woman felt frightened and pressurised and he repeatedly told her to get into his car. (extra.ie)
- otherWhen Daniel Ion arrived, McGowan started choking him with one hand. (extra.ie, kildarenow.com)
- otherBoth Daniel Ion and his wife denied McGowan's suggestions about the woman being locked in. (extra.ie)
- otherMcGowan told gardaí that Ion struck his wife in the face when he arrived. (extra.ie)
- otherMcGowan has 31 previous convictions including three counts for making threats to kill and two for assault causing harm (kildarenow.com, thejournal.ie, leinsterexpress.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- otherMcGowan has a District Court conviction for impersonating a garda on July 1, 2019 (kildarenow.com)
- otherMcGowan has 31 previous convictions (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherHis previous convictions include three counts for making threats to kill (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherHis previous convictions include two for assault causing harm (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherMcGowan has a District Court conviction for impersonating a garda on 1 July 2019 (leinsterexpress.ie, thejournal.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- otherMcGowan has 31 previous convictions including three for making threats to kill and two for assault causing harm (irishtimes.com, kildarenow.com)
- otherHe has a previous District Court conviction for impersonating a garda on 1 July 2019 (irishtimes.com)
- otherMcGowan is now in a new relationship and the father of two children (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe 2019 impersonation offence occurred during a family feud where he shouted he was a garda out of a car window (irishtimes.com)
- otherMcGowan has a District Court conviction for impersonating a garda from July 1, 2019. (kildarenow.com)
- otherHe has a District Court conviction for impersonating a garda on 1 July 2019. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherAfter his arrest, McGowan denied the assault charges and said he offered the woman a lift which was refused. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherMs Calauz said she has been unable to go out alone since the incident. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherMr Ion suffered bruising to his neck and could not eat for the next two days. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherMr Ion had to leave his job following the events. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherMcGowan's drug use had been casual but escalated following the death of his partner. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherMcGowan is a builder from Branswood, Athy, Co Kildare. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 4 Nov2022Creepy fake Garda tried to get woman into car then choked husband
Reports the sentencing of Declan McGowan to three years' imprisonment, details of the trial evidence, and his 31 previous convictions.
convicted, Declan McGowan, 33, male, named, irish (judged from name)Declan McGowanvictim, Andra Calauz, female, non-irish (judged from name)Andra Calauzvictim, Daniel Ion, male, non-irish (judged from name)Daniel Ion - 4 Nov2022Local builder who impersonated garda going behind bars
Provides a detailed account of the sentencing hearing including trial evidence, victim impact statements, the judge's reasoning, and the accused's background of 31 previous convictions.
victim, Andra Calauz, female, non-irish (judged from name)Andra Calauzvictim, Daniel Ion, male, non-irish (judged from name)Daniel Ionconvicted, Declan McGowan, 33, male, named, irish (judged from name)Declan McGowan - 4 Nov2022Pretend Kildare garda who tried to get woman into his car jailed
Provides full details of the sentencing hearing including trial evidence, victim impact statements, defence submissions, and Judge Patricia Ryan's reasoning for the three-year sentence backdated from custody.
victim, Andra Calauz, female, non-irish (judged from name)Andra Calauzvictim, Daniel Ion, male, non-irish (judged from name)Daniel Ionconvicted, Declan McGowan, 33, male, named, irish (judged from name)Declan McGowan - 4 Nov2022Man who tried to lure woman into his car by pretending to be a garda jailed for three years
Sentencing hearing detail: Judge Patricia Ryan backdated the three-year sentence from when McGowan went into custody; victim impact statements read; defence argued cocaine binge and death of partner as mitigating factors; McGowan had 31 previous convictions including a 2019 District Court conviction for impersonating a garda.
victim, Andra Calauz, female, non-irish (judged from name)Andra Calauzvictim, Daniel Ion, male, non-irish (judged from name)Daniel Ionconvicted, Declan McGowan, 33, male, named, irish (judged from name)Declan McGowan - 4 Nov2022Man who told woman he was a garda jailed for three years
Provides full detail of the sentencing hearing including trial evidence, victim impact statements, defence submissions, the judge's reasoning on aggravating and mitigating factors, and the backdated three-year sentence.
victim, Andra Calauz, female, non-irish (judged from name)Andra Calauzvictim, Daniel Ion, male, non-irish (judged from name)Daniel Ionconvicted, Declan McGowan, 33, male, named, irish (judged from name)Declan McGowan - 28 Oct2022Local builder who impersonated garda tried to get woman into his car
Pre-sentencing hearing where McGowan accepted the jury's verdicts; detailed trial evidence and victim impact statements read to the court; case adjourned to 4 November 2022 for finalisation.
victim, Andra Calauz, female, non-irish (judged from name)Andra Calauzvictim, Daniel Ion, male, non-irish (judged from name)Daniel Ionconvicted, Declan McGowan, 33, male, named, irish (judged from name)Declan McGowan - 28 Oct2022Kildare man tried to get a woman into his car late at night by pretending to be a garda
McGowan accepted the jury's verdicts at the sentencing hearing; trial evidence and victim impact statements were read; details of his 31 previous convictions and his cocaine use were noted; case adjourned to 4 November 2022 for finalisation.
victim, Andra Calauz, female, non-irish (judged from name)Andra Calauzvictim, Daniel Ion, male, non-irish (judged from name)Daniel Ionaccused, Declan McGowan, 33, male, named, irish (judged from name)Declan McGowan - 8 Mar2022Builder said he was a garda to try get woman into his car in the middle of the night - Extra.ie
Reports the guilty verdicts on all four counts after a four-day trial and the remand until 17 June 2022 for sentencing.
victim, Andra Calauz, female, non-irish (judged from name)Andra Calauzvictim, Daniel Ion, male, non-irish (judged from name)Daniel Ionconvicted, Declan McGowan, 33, male, named, irish (judged from name)Declan McGowan - 7 Mar2022Local builder who tried to get woman into car convicted of garda impersonation
Reports the guilty verdicts returned by the jury on 7 March 2022 after a four-day trial, the remand in custody until 17 June 2022 for sentencing, and detailed testimony from both victims and defence arguments.
victim, Andra Calauz, female, non-irish (judged from name)Andra Calauzvictim, Daniel Ion, male, non-irish (judged from name)Daniel Ionconvicted, Declan McGowan, 33, male, named, irish (judged from name)Declan McGowan - 7 Mar2022Kildare builder who attempted to get woman into his car convicted in garda impersonation trial
Reports the guilty verdicts on all four counts after a four-day trial, the jury's deliberation time, and remand until 17 June 2022 for sentencing.
victim, Andra Calauz, female, non-irish (judged from name)Andra Calauzvictim, Daniel Ion, male, non-irish (judged from name)Daniel Ionconvicted, Declan McGowan, 33, male, named, irish (judged from name)Declan McGowan - 7 Mar2022Builder (33) found guilty of imitating a garda when trying to coerce woman into car
Reports the guilty verdict on all four counts after a four-day trial; jury deliberation took just under three hours; McGowan remanded in custody until 17 June 2022 for sentencing.
victim, Andra Calauz, female, non-irish (judged from name)Andra Calauzvictim, Daniel Ion, male, non-irish (judged from name)Daniel Ionconvicted, Declan McGowan, 33, male, named, irish (judged from name)Declan McGowan - 7 Mar2022Man convicted of assaulting woman and pretending to be a garda
Reports the guilty verdicts returned after a four-day trial and the remand until sentencing on 17 June 2022, adding detail on the trial testimony and defence/prosecution submissions.
victim, Andra Calauz, female, non-irish (judged from name)Andra Calauzvictim, Daniel Ion, male, non-irish (judged from name)Daniel Ionconvicted, Declan McGowan, 33, male, named, irish (judged from name)Declan McGowan - 4 Mar2022Jury deliberating in case of Kildare builder accused of trying to get woman into car by impersonating garda
Reports that the jury began deliberating on day three of the trial and was sent home for the weekend after under two hours, with deliberations to resume Monday. Provides trial testimony details including the victim's account of the incident and the defendant's defence.
victim, Andra Calauz, female, non-irish (judged from name)Andra Calauzvictim, Daniel Ion, male, non-irish (judged from name)Daniel Ionaccused, Declan McGowan, 33, male, named, irish (judged from name)Declan McGowan - 2 Mar2022Man goes on trial accused of assaulting woman and pretending to be a garda
First day of trial: prosecution witnesses Andra Caluz and Daniel Ion testify; defence cross-examination; trial continues before Judge Patricia Ryan and a jury.
victim, Andra Caluz, 25, female, Romanian, non-irishAndra Caluzvictim, Daniel Ion, male, non-irish (judged from name)Daniel Ionaccused, Declan McGowan, 33, male, named, irish (judged from name)Declan McGowan