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. 18413Assault · Co. Donegal · 16 Aug 2020

Stranorlar man fined for kicking garda

On 16 August 2020, Paul Ward, a 28-year-old welder from Stranorlar, kicked out at Garda Harrington while resisting arrest at Letterkenny Garda Station in County Donegal. Gardaí used pepper spray on Ward during the arrest, and he was charged with assaulting Garda Harrington. He was convicted at Letterkenny District Court, and on 4 February 2024 the court fined him €500 with six months to pay and imposed no custodial sentence.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced3 Feb
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Paul Ward, a 28-year-old welder from Stranorlar, kicked out at Garda Harrington while resisting arrest.
  • Ward was verbally abusive and agitated, threatened Garda Harrington, then kicked out and struck the garda on the left leg.
Where
The assault happened at Letterkenny Garda Station, County Donegal.
When
The assault happened on 16 August 2020.
Cause
Gardaí used pepper spray on Ward, who resisted arrest.
Charges
Ward was charged with assaulting Garda Harrington.
In court
  • Garda Harrington suffered pain and stiffness but was able to perform duty after the incident.
  • Ward was convicted and appeared before Letterkenny District Court.
Sentence
  • Ward was convicted, fined €500, and allowed six months to pay.
  • The judge imposed no custodial sentence; one source says this was because there were no similar previous convictions, while another says Ward has eight previous convictions, all under the Road Traffic Act.
Other details
  • The defence said the parties involved were very intoxicated at the time.
  • Ward contacted Garda Harrington to apologise for his behaviour.
  • Garda Harrington chose not to submit a victim impact statement.
14 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA welder from Stranorlar kicked out at a garda while resisting arrest. (donegallive.ie)
  • whatWard was aggressive at the station, threatened Garda Harrington, then kicked out and struck the garda on the left leg. (donegallive.ie)
  • whereThe assault happened at Letterkenny Garda Station. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenThe assault happened on August 16, 2020. (donegallive.ie)
  • causeGardaí used pepper spray on Ward, who resisted arrest. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeWard was charged with assaulting Garda Harrington. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtGarda Harrington suffered pain and stiffness but was not unable to perform duty after the incident. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtWard was convicted and appeared before Letterkenny District Court. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge gave no custodial sentence because there were no similar previous convictions. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceWard was convicted, fined €500, and allowed six months to pay. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe defence said the parties involved were very intoxicated at the time. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherWard contacted Garda Harrington to apologise for his behaviour. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherGarda Harrington chose not to submit a victim impact statement. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherWard has eight previous convictions, all under the Road Traffic Act. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 3 Feb2024
    Sentenceddonegallive.ie, first report
    Stranorlar man who kicked garda avoids prison

    Reports the court outcome: Ward was convicted and fined €500 at Letterkenny District Court, with six months to pay, and avoided prison.

    convicted, Paul Ward, 28, male, named, irish (judged from name)Paul Wardvictim, Garda Harrington, irish (judged from name)Garda Harrington