Wednesday 28 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. 6659Assault on gardaí; violent disorder · Co. Dublin · 21 Nov 2022

Three men jailed for assaulting two gardaí in Ballyfermot

On 21 November 2022 three men, Steven Byrne (36), Jonathan Dolan (47) and Anthony Grogan (55), assaulted two gardaí, Sean Savage and Nicole Malcolmson, outside a takeaway on Ballyfermot Road, Dublin, after gardaí had been called to a pub in Ballyfermot to investigate a disturbance. Each man pleaded guilty to two counts of assaulting gardaí and one count of violent disorder, and the case was heard in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court before Judge Martin Nolan. Judge Nolan sentenced each man to 27 months' imprisonment, to run concurrently, a development reported on 29 January 2024, which is the latest update.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced29 Jan
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Three men assaulted two gardaí outside a takeaway, leaving both hospitalised and requiring medical attention.
  • Garda Sean Savage was struck on the head and face and needed staples and stitches.
  • Garda Nicole Malcolmson had a knee injury and was badly bruised.
Weapon
Steven Byrne struck Garda Savage on the head several times with the garda's torch while he was on the ground.
Where
The offences took place on Ballyfermot Road, Dublin.
When
The offences took place on 21 November 2022.
Cause
Gardaí had been called to a pub in Ballyfermot to investigate a disturbance, and security pointed out the people involved to Gardaí Savage and Malcolmson.
Other details
The men are Steven Byrne (36), Jonathan Dolan (47) and Anthony Grogan (55), each of an address in Ballyfermot.
Charges
Each man pleaded guilty to two counts of assaulting gardaí and one count of violent disorder.
In court
  • The men appeared before Judge Martin Nolan in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, where CCTV of the incident was played.
  • Both gardaí read their victim impact statements in court.
  • The judge noted that all three men pleaded guilty and co-operated with the investigation.
Sentence
Judge Nolan sentenced each man to 27 months' imprisonment, to run concurrently.
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThree men attacked two gardaí outside a takeaway. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatGarda Sean Savage was struck on the head and face and needed staples and stitches. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatGarda Nicole Malcolmson had a knee injury and was badly bruised. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatByrne struck Garda Savage on the head several times with the garda's torch while he was on the ground. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe offences took place on Ballyfermot Road, Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe offences took place on 21 November 2022. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeGardaí had been called to a pub in Ballyfermot to investigate a disturbance. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeEach man pleaded guilty to two counts of assaulting gardaí and one count of violent disorder. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe men appeared before Judge Martin Nolan in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtCCTV of the incident was played in court. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtBoth gardaí read their victim impact statements in court. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe judge noted that all three men pleaded guilty and co-operated with the investigation. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceJudge Nolan sentenced each man to 27 months' imprisonment, to run concurrently. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 29 Jan2024
    Sentencedirishtimes.com, first report
    Three men jailed for violent assault on two gardaí

    Reports the sentencing of the three men to 27 months' imprisonment, concurrent on each count, along with the court hearing details, victim impact statements and the judge's remarks.

    convicted, Steven Byrne, 36, male, named, irish (judged from name)Steven Byrneconvicted, Jonathan Dolan, 47, male, named, irish (judged from name)Jonathan Dolanconvicted, Anthony Grogan, 55, male, named, irish (judged from name)Anthony Groganvictim, Sean Savage, male, irish (judged from name)Sean Savagevictim, Nicole Malcolmson, female, irish (judged from name)Nicole Malcolmson