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. 19050Assault · Co. Kildare · 19 Sep 2022

Man who tried to gouge garda's eye ordered medical assessment at Naas court

On 19 September 2022, gardaí were called to a domestic incident in Sallins, County Kildare, where John O'Brien, a 49-year-old man, became aggressive towards gardaí and attempted to gouge out the eye of a garda sergeant, who sustained a cut near the eye. At Naas District Court on 23 November 2023, O'Brien admitted the offence, and the defence said he has a registered brain injury from a past assault and very little recollection of the event. Judge Desmond Zaidan ordered a medical assessment of the defendant and adjourned the case to May 2024 to allow time for a victim impact statement. The latest development is that adjournment to May 2024.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court24 Nov
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • The man became aggressive towards gardaí and attempted to gouge out the eye of a garda sergeant.
  • The sergeant sustained a cut near the eye as a result of the assault.
Where
  • The incident took place in Sallins, County Kildare.
  • The case was heard at Naas District Court.
When
  • Gardaí were called to a domestic incident on 19 September 2022.
  • The hearing took place on 23 November 2023.
Charges
The defendant, John O'Brien, faced a charge of assault.
Other details
  • The defendant admitted the offence.
  • The defence said the defendant has a registered brain injury from a past assault on him and very little recollection of the event.
Cause
Gardaí told the court the man was highly intoxicated at the time.
In court
  • Judge Desmond Zaidan ordered a medical assessment of the defendant.
  • The case was adjourned to May 2024 to allow time for a victim impact statement.
10 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe man became aggressive towards gardaí and attempted to gouge out a garda's eye. (kildarenow.com)
  • whatThe sergeant sustained a cut near their eye as a result of the assault. (kildarenow.com)
  • whereThe case was heard at Naas District Court. (kildarenow.com)
  • whenGardaí were called to a domestic incident in Sallins on 19 September 2022. (kildarenow.com)
  • courtThe judge adjourned the case to May 2024 to allow time for a victim impact statement. (kildarenow.com)
  • courtThe judge ordered a medical assessment of the defendant. (kildarenow.com)
  • otherThe defendant admitted to the offence. (kildarenow.com)
  • otherGardaí told the court the man was highly intoxicated at the time. (kildarenow.com)
  • otherThe defence said the defendant has a registered brain injury from a past assault on him. (kildarenow.com)
  • otherThe defence said the defendant has very little recollection of the event. (kildarenow.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 24 Nov2023
    In courtkildarenow.com, first report
    Kildare court: Medical assessment ordered for man who tried to gouge garda’s eye out

    Court report on the hearing held at Naas District Court on 23 November 2023. Covers the 2022 incident, the defendant's admission, his brain injury and lack of recollection, and the adjournment to May 2024 with a medical assessment ordered.

    accused, John O'Brien, 49, male, named, irish (judged from name)John O'Brienvictim