A man who was punched in the head while a serving garda as he released a man from a Garda station was awarded more than €300,000 in damages by the High Court yesterday.

Ms Justice Mary Irvine said James Lynn, who was stationed at Castlebar station but has since been discharged from the Garda due to ill-health, had lost the career he fought so hard to get into.

As a result, Mr Lynn had lost his status in society and his injuries affected him every day, she said. The case was brought under the Garda Compensation Act by Mr Lynn who had been attached to Castlebar station at the time of the assault on June 23rd, 2001.

The court heard Mr Lynn released a prisoner from holding cells who then went to the day room. Mr Lynn later escorted him to the foyer.

As … Read More »

HIGH COURT: A 34-year-old female garda, who was stunned when an intoxicated woman she was searching punched her on the nose, has been awarded more than €5,000 in damages at a High Court Garda compensation hearing.

Garda Shauna Keane, of Cappahard, Tulla Road, Ennis, Co Clare, told Ms Justice Mary Irvine that she was searching a woman in a private room when the prisoner lashed out at her.

Garda Keane said she had been stationed in Waterford Road Garda station, Cork city, on November 3rd, 2005, when she was called to a disturbance at Gurranabraher, where three prisoners, including the woman, were being held. Garda Keane said she suffered a lot of pain to her face and nose and had been off work for six weeks. Her doctor had referred her to an ear, nose and throat specialist who had carried out … Read More »

Two race-goers headbutted, punched and then kicked a garda in the back as she lay on the ground at the entrance to the Curragh Racecourse, Co Kildare, a judge heard yesterday.

Garda Sgt Alma Molloy, formerly of Ramsgrange, New Ross, Co Wexford, and now stationed in Kilkenny city, was awarded nearly €90,000 damages by Ms Justice Mary Irvine in a High Court Garda Compensation hearing nearly 10 years after the incident.

She is now aged 36, Barrister Colm P Condon, SC, for Sgt Molloy, told the court she had been called to help colleagues restrain a man and a woman who were behaving in a hostile and aggressive manner and who also appeared to be drunk.

Ms Justice Irvine said Sgt Molloy still experienced chronic discomfort in her neck and lower back, had given up running and had not gone back to playing … Read More »