Sunday 1 November 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. 21998Assault (on a garda); unlawful possession of cocaine · Co. Dublin · 23 Aug 2017

Two men on trial for assaulting off-duty Garda SDU officer in South Dublin

Darren Boyd, 29, and Shane Thomas, 30, are on trial at Dublin District Court for assaulting off-duty Garda Sergeant Colm Finnerty at the junction of Kingsland Parade and Portobello Road in South Dublin on 23 August 2017. Thomas, who was shot in the back of his left shoulder during the struggle, also denies unlawful possession of cocaine.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court9 Mar
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
14 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatFinnerty noticed a Toyota Yaris with three occupants at Kevin Street that had driven on the wrong side of the street. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatThe defendants and a female got out of the Toyota and began walking in Finnerty's direction. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatFinnerty alleged that during the struggle with Thomas, Boyd pulled down the firearm and was responsible for the gun being discharged. (thejournal.ie)
  • whereThe incident occurred at the junction of Kingsland Parade and Portobello Road in South Dublin. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenThe incident occurred at approximately 2am on 23 August 2017. (thejournal.ie)
  • weaponThe weapon did not have a safety catch but required 14 and a half pounds of pressure to pull the trigger. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeBoyd and Thomas pleaded not guilty to assaulting Garda Sergeant Colm Finnerty. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe non-jury trial commenced before Judge John Hughes at Dublin District Court. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtThe hearing resumes the following day. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherAt the time of the incident, Finnerty was a Garda attached to the SDU in Harcourt Square, Dublin. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherFinnerty had finished a 13-hour shift and left work in plain clothes to drive home in his private car. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherFinnerty had been aware of an armed robbery at the Conrad Hotel in the city. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherFinnerty followed the Toyota in his Mini and called Garda command and control. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherFinnerty disagreed with the other garda's statement and said he was not responsible for the discharge. (thejournal.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 9 Mar2023
    In courtthejournal.ie, first report
    Man shot in shoulder during alleged assault on off-duty Garda SDU officer, court hears

    Non-jury trial commenced before Judge John Hughes at Dublin District Court. Sergeant Finnerty gave evidence describing the incident, including his belief the men were connected to an armed robbery at the Conrad Hotel, the struggle with Thomas, and his allegation that Boyd pulled down the firearm causing it to discharge.

    victim, Colm Finnerty, male, irish (judged from name)Colm Finnertyaccused, Darren Boyd, 29, male, named, irish (judged from name)Darren Boydaccused, Shane Thomas, 30, male, named, irish (judged from name)Shane Thomas