Saturday 31 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. 20801Assault · Co. Sligo · 15 May 2021

Man sentenced over assault on garda at Enniscrone

On 15 May 2021 in Enniscrone, Co Sligo, Ciaran Flood, a 30-year-old man, broke into a house after a call about a burglary, and in a struggle of about 25 minutes he assaulted Garda Ray Wims, who arrested him before colleagues arrived. On 7 June 2023 at Sligo Circuit Court, Flood admitted assaulting the garda causing harm and pleaded guilty to criminal damage to a garden gate, and he was sentenced to two years and six months. The judge also ordered a payment of €10,000 to the Garda Benevolent Trust Fund. The case was adjourned for review on 3 October on certain conditions.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced7 Jun
    2 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Flood kicked in a garden gate and broke into a house in Enniscrone.
  • Flood repeatedly punched and elbowed Garda Wims and spat on him during a struggle of about 25 minutes.
  • Flood bit Garda Wims' thumb, breaking the skin, leaving five bite marks.
Where
The house was in Enniscrone, Co Sligo, and the assault took place at The Dunes, Enniscrone.
When
The incident happened on 15 May 2021.
Cause
Garda Ray Wims responded to a call about a burglary in the Castlecove area of Enniscrone.
Investigation
Flood was arrested by Garda Wims after the struggle, before colleagues arrived.
Charges
Flood admitted assaulting Garda Ray Wims causing him harm and pleaded guilty to criminal damage to a garden gate on the same day.
In court
The case was heard at Sligo Circuit Court on 7 June 2023.
Sentence
  • Flood was sentenced to two years and six months, described in reports as 2.5 years, for the assault and criminal damage.
  • The judge ordered Flood to pay €10,000 to the Garda Benevolent Trust Fund, though one report names it the Garda Benevolent Fund.
  • The case was adjourned for review on 3 October on certain conditions.
Other details
Flood was released on bail ahead of the finalisation of the matter later that year, and Garda Wims was out of work for 11 months.
23 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatFlood kicked in a garden gate before breaking into the house. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatFlood repeatedly punched and elbowed Garda Wims during the struggle. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatFlood bit into Garda Wims' thumb, breaking the skin. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatFlood subjected the garda to a prolonged assault, biting him, thumping and elbowing him and spitting on him. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe garda had five bite marks on his thumb where the skin was broken. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereFlood broke into a house in Enniscrone, Co Sligo. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe assault took place at The Dunes, Enniscrone. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenGarda Wims was dispatched to the incident on May 15, 2021. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe incident happened on 15 May 2021. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeThe garda responded to a call about a burglary in the Castlecove area of Enniscrone. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationFlood was arrested by Garda Wims after a 25-minute struggle, before colleagues arrived. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeFlood admitted assaulting Garda Ray Wims causing him harm. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeFlood pleaded guilty to criminal damage to a garden gate on the same day. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtFlood pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and criminal damage at Sligo Circuit Court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard at Sligo Circuit Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceFlood was sentenced to two years and six months. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge sentenced Flood to 2.5 years in jail for the assault and criminal damage. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge ordered a €10,000 donation to the Garda Benevolent Trust Fund. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge imposed a sentence of two years and six months. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe case was adjourned for review on 3 October on certain conditions. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceFlood was required to pay €10,000 into the Garda Benevolent Fund. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherFlood was released on bail ahead of the finalisation of the matter later that year. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe garda was out of work for 11 months. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 7 Jun2023
    Sentencedirishtimes.com, first report
    Man with ‘physique of body builder’ bit, hit and spat at garda during prolonged assault

    Court report on sentencing at Sligo Circuit Court of an incident from 15 May 2021. Adds the charges Flood admitted, the sentence and conditions, the garda's injuries and the review date. No matching existing case.

    convicted, Ciaran Flood, 30, male, named, irish (judged from name)Ciaran Floodvictim, Ray Wims, male, irish (judged from name)Ray Wims
  2. 7 Jun2023
    Sentencedirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    Garda feared he and two kids would die in vicious attack by man in drunken rage

    Court report on sentencing of Ciaran Flood at Sligo Circuit Court, with details of the 2021 incident, the garda's victim impact statement and the sentence.

    victim, Ray Wims, male, irish (judged from name)Ray Wimsconvicted, Ciaran Flood, 30, male, named, irish (judged from name)Ciaran Flood