Ireland Sean Burke found guilty of assault and Ammi Burke of obstructing garda at Four Courts, Dublin
On 7 March 2023, at the Court of Appeal in the Four Courts, Dublin, Sean Burke, a man in his 60s, allegedly grabbed and flung Bridewell Garda Victoria Fisher to the ground after his wife was escorted out, and he denied assaulting her. His daughter Ammi Burke, 33, a qualified solicitor, was charged with obstructing a garda who was arresting her brother Simeon just outside the building. On 10 May 2024, after a non-jury trial before Judge Michele Finan at Dublin District Court, Sean Burke was found guilty of assault and Ammi Burke of obstruction; Sean Burke was dealt with under the Probation of Offenders Act, so no recorded conviction was entered, and Ammi Burke was fined €400 payable within 12 months. Ammi Burke has said she does not intend to pay the fine and would appeal the verdict, and appeal bail was set at €200.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Convicted10 May
- Sentenced10 May
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Sean Burke, a man in his 60s, was found guilty of assault on Bridewell Garda Victoria Fisher.
- Ammi Burke, 33, a qualified solicitor, was found guilty of obstructing a garda.
- The trial heard Sean Burke allegedly grabbed and flung a female garda to the ground after his wife was escorted out.
- The garda alleged Sean Burke put a hand on her left shoulder.
- Where
- The incident took place at the Court of Appeal in the Four Courts, Dublin.
- When
- The incident happened on 7 March 2023.
- Cause
- Ammi Burke pleaded not guilty to obstructing a garda who was arresting her brother Simeon just outside the building.
- Charges
- The assault charge carries a maximum of six months' imprisonment and obstruction of an arrest carries one year.
- In court
- A non-jury hearing before Judge Michele Finan at Dublin District Court ran from just after midday until nearly 11 pm and heard evidence from 11 garda witnesses.
- Sentence
- Sean Burke was dealt with under the Probation of Offenders Act, so no recorded conviction was entered.
- Ammi Burke was fined €400, to be paid within 12 months.
- Other details
- Sean Burke denied assaulting the garda and claimed she was knocked over by accident; the judge noted he had no prior criminal convictions.
- Ammi Burke said she does not intend to pay the fine and would appeal the verdict, and appeal bail was set at €200.
22 statements extracted from the articles
- whatSean Burke was found guilty of assault after a garda was pushed. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatAmmi Burke was found guilty of obstructing a garda. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- whatThe garda alleged Sean Burke put a hand on her left shoulder. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatSean Burke was found guilty of assault. (irishtimes.com)
- whatSean Burke allegedly grabbed and flung a female garda to the ground. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe incident took place at the Court of Appeal in the Four Courts. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe incident happened at the Court of Appeal in the Four Courts. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe incident happened on March 7 last year. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe incident happened on 7 March 2023. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeThe assault charge carries a maximum sentence of six months' imprisonment and obstruction of an arrest carries one year. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeSean Burke denied assaulting Bridewell Garda Victoria Fisher. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe case was heard as a non-jury hearing before Judge Michele Finan at Dublin District Court. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- courtEleven garda witnesses gave evidence. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe judge applied the Probation of Offenders Act to Sean Burke, sparing him a recorded conviction. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceAmmi Burke was convicted and fined €400, to be paid within 12 months. (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceThe Probation Act was applied to Sean Burke, so no recorded conviction was entered. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceAmmi Burke was fined €400, to be paid within 12 months. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe judge noted Sean Burke had no prior criminal convictions. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherAmmi Burke said she does not intend to pay the fine and would appeal the verdict. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- otherAppeal bail was set at €200. (irishmirror.ie, irishtimes.com)
- otherSean Burke had no prior criminal convictions. (irishtimes.com)
- otherMr Burke claimed the garda was knocked over by accident. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 10 May2024Sean Burke found guilty of assault on female garda during Enoch Burke court appearance
Reports the verdicts after a non-jury trial at Dublin District Court, the sentences imposed, and the defendants' stated intention to appeal.
convicted, Sean Burke, 60s, male, named, irish (judged from name)Sean Burkeconvicted, Ammi Burke, 33, female, named, irish (judged from name)Ammi Burkevictim, Victoria Fisher, female, irish (judged from name)Victoria Fisher - 10 May2024Enoch Burke's dad found guilty of assault as trial hears he 'flung' female Garda
Reports the Dublin District Court verdicts and sentences for Sean and Ammi Burke over the March 2023 incident at the Court of Appeal in the Four Courts.
convicted, Sean Burke, 60s, male, named, irish (judged from name)Sean Burkeconvicted, Ammi Burke, 33, female, named, irish (judged from name)Ammi Burkevictim, Victoria Fisher, female, irish (judged from name)Victoria Fisher