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. 21016False imprisonment; assault causing harm · Co. Dublin

Two gardaí acquitted of false imprisonment of teenager at Dublin Garda station

On the morning of 20 April 2021, a 15-year-old boy who had gone to Sundrive Road Garda Station in south Dublin to sign on as a bail requirement claimed he was held against his will and beaten there. Garda Stephen Conran, 40, and Garda Sergeant Damien Kirwan, 56, were charged with falsely imprisoning him, and Kirwan was also charged with assault causing harm. Both officers pleaded not guilty and faced a non-jury hearing before Judge John Hughes at Dublin District Court. On 18 May 2023 the judge acquitted both officers on all charges, finding the force used was proportionate and noting issues with the youth's credibility.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Acquitted18 May
    3 reports
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Garda Stephen Conran, 40, and Garda Sergeant Damien Kirwan, 56, were charged with falsely imprisoning a 15-year-old boy.
Where
The alleged incident took place at Sundrive Road Garda Station in south Dublin.
When
The events were on the morning of 20 April 2021.
Cause
  • The boy had gone to the station to sign on as a bail requirement.
  • The boy claimed he was held against his will and beaten at the station.
  • Reports say the boy was on his phone, became abusive when asked to take the call outside or hang up, and made threats and tried to headbutt an officer.
Investigation
The incident was captured on CCTV.
Charges
Both gardaí were charged with false imprisonment, and Kirwan was also charged with assault causing harm.
In court
  • Both officers pleaded not guilty and faced a non-jury hearing before Judge John Hughes at Dublin District Court.
  • On 18 May 2023 both officers were found not guilty on all charges, including Kirwan's charge of assault causing harm.
  • The judge found the force used was proportionate and that Kirwan had little option but to strike the complainant.
  • The judge found there were issues with the youth's credibility.
Other details
  • The youth had 53 previous convictions, including burglary, theft, car theft and possession of a knife.
  • Kirwan retired with 30 years of service, and Conran had been suspended from duty for two years pending the outcome.
  • The boy was 17 at the time of the hearing.
34 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatTwo gardaí were cleared of wrongdoing in the false imprisonment case. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe youth went to Sundrive Road Garda Station to sign on while on bail. (rte.ie)
  • whereThe alleged incident happened at Sundrive Road Garda station in Dublin. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe assault incident took place at Sundrive Road Garda Station in south Dublin. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe incident occurred two years before the court outcome. (rte.ie)
  • whenThe gardaí were charged over events on the morning of April 20, 2021. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe assault incident took place in April 2021. (irishmirror.ie)
  • causeThe youth became abusive and aggressive when asked to take the call outside or hang up. (rte.ie)
  • causeThe boy had gone to the station to sign on as a bail requirement. (irishmirror.ie)
  • causeThe teenager claimed he was held against his will and beaten up at the station after going there to sign on as a bail requirement. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe incident was captured on CCTV. (rte.ie)
  • chargeBoth gardaí were charged with false imprisonment. (rte.ie)
  • chargeSgt Kirwan was also charged with assault causing harm. (rte.ie)
  • chargeGarda Stephen Conran and Garda Sergeant Damian Kirwan were charged with false imprisonment of the boy. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeKirwan faced an additional charge of assault causing harm. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeThe officers were charged with falsely imprisoning a youth at a Dublin Garda station in 2021. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeSergeant Kirwan was also acquitted of assault causing harm to the same teenager. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtBoth gardaí were found not guilty at Dublin District Court. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe judge said Sgt Kirwan had little other option but to strike the complainant. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe judge found that the force the gardaí used was proportionate. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe judge said there were issues with the youth's credibility. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe defendants pleaded not guilty and faced a non-jury hearing before Judge John Hughes at Dublin District Court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtTwo gardaí were acquitted by a judge at Dublin District Court. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe officers pleaded not guilty and faced a non-jury hearing before Judge John Hughes. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe judge found the sergeant's use of force was proportionate. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe hearing concluded with acquittals on all charges. (irishmirror.ie)
  • sentenceThe court concluded with acquittals on all charges. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe youth has 53 previous convictions. (rte.ie)
  • otherKirwan had retired with 30 years of service before the hearing. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherConran had been suspended from duty for two years pending the outcome of the proceedings. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe teen had 53 prior criminal convictions. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe boy was 17 at the time of the hearing. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherSergeant Kirwan had retired with 30 years of service before the hearing. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherGarda Conran had been suspended from duty for two years pending the outcome of the proceedings. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 19 May2023
    Acquittedirishmirror.ie, first report
    Garda bodies welcome ruling as officers cleared of false imprisonment charges

    Reports the court verdict acquitting both officers on all charges, with the judge's reasons, and reactions from garda representative bodies.

    accused, Stephen Conran, named, irish (judged from name)Stephen Conranaccused, Damien Kirwan, 56, named, irish (judged from name)Damien Kirwanvictim, 15, male
  2. 18 May2023
    Acquittedirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    Two gardai accused of false imprisonment of Dublin teen cleared

    Reports the verdict: both defendants acquitted on all charges after a non-jury hearing. Adds the date of the incident, Kirwan's assault charge, his retirement, Conran's suspension, and the complainant's record and age.

    victim, 15, maleaccused, Stephen Conran, 40, male, named, irish (judged from name)Stephen Conranaccused, Damian Kirwan, 56, male, named, irish (judged from name)Damian Kirwan
  3. 18 May2023
    Acquittedrte.ie, follow-up
    Two gardaí cleared in false imprisonment case

    Reports the acquittal of both gardaí at Dublin District Court, the judge's comments on the force used and the youth's credibility, and reactions from AGSI and GRA.

    victim, 15, maleaccused, Stephen Conran, 40, named, irish (judged from name)Stephen Conranaccused, Damien Kirwan, 56, named, irish (judged from name)Damien Kirwan