Sunday 1 November 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. 21344Assault on a garda · Co. Offaly · 5 Mar 2021

Man pleads guilty to assaulting garda at Tullamore Hospital A&E

Ioan Bancu, a 33-year-old man of Bonavalley, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, was charged with assaulting a garda in the Accident & Emergency Department of Tullamore Hospital, Co. Offaly, on 5 March 2021. Sgt James O'Sullivan told the court that Bancu became troublesome and that a garda's arm was bitten during a struggle after two gardaí were called to assist. Bancu's solicitor, Ciara Macklin, said he was pleading guilty, and Judge Andrew Cody adjourned the case to 13 December. The judge said he would apply the Probation Act if there were no further incidents before then.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court27 Apr
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A garda's arm was bitten during a struggle with a patient.
Where
The assault happened in the Accident & Emergency Department of Tullamore Hospital, Co. Offaly.
When
The assault took place on 5 March 2021.
Cause
Ioan Bancu became troublesome while attending the A&E and two gardaí were called to assist.
Investigation
Sgt James O'Sullivan gave the court this account of the incident.
Charges
Ioan Bancu, of Bonavalley, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, was charged with assaulting a garda.
In court
  • His solicitor, Ciara Macklin, said he was pleading guilty.
  • Judge Andrew Cody adjourned the case to 13 December.
Sentence
The judge said he would apply the Probation Act if there were no further incidents before 13 December.
Other details
  • He was subsequently committed to a psychiatric hospital.
  • He has several previous convictions, including theft, no insurance and criminal damage.
  • His solicitor said he is 33, single, has no dependents, and has been diagnosed with schizophrenia; he is now on medication and stable.
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA garda's arm was bitten during the struggle. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whereThe assault happened during a struggle with a patient in the Accident & Emergency Department of Tullamore Hospital. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whenThe assault took place on 5 March 2021. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeIoan Bancu was charged with assaulting a garda. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtHis solicitor said he was pleading guilty. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtJudge Andrew Cody adjourned the case to 13 December. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge said he would apply the Probation Act if there were no further incidents before then. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe man became troublesome when he was attending the A&E at Tullamore Hospital and two gardaí were called to assist. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherHe was subsequently committed to a psychiatric hospital. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherHe has several previous convictions, including theft, no insurance and criminal damage. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherHis solicitor said he is 33 years of age, single and has no dependents. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherHis solicitor said he has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and is now on medication and stable. (offalyexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 27 Apr2023
    In courtoffalyexpress.ie, first report
    Garda's arm bitten during struggle with patient in A&E at Tullamore Hospital

    Court report: the accused's solicitor said he was pleading guilty, and the judge adjourned the case to 13 December. The article gives his age, his psychiatric history and his previous convictions.

    accused, Ioan Bancu, 33, male, namedIoan Bancu