A man who assaulted a female Garda by kicking her in the stomach during a night out while intoxicated has been sentenced to 10 months in prison, reports The Mirror.
Glen Friel, 24, appeared via video link at Letterkenny District Court located in County Donegal.
The court heard that Friel could not remember the incident.
His attorney, Mr. Rory O’Brien, informed the court that the event took place on May 5, 2022, during a period when Friel was struggling with substance abuse and mental health challenges, reports The Mirror.
Garda Sergeant Maurice Doyle reported that Garda Aoife McNulty had to take several days off work following the assault.
The event occurred on Oliver Plunkett Road in Letterkenny as Gardaí were intervening in a situation.
Friel kicked out and hit Garda McNulty in the stomach.
He was charged with causing harm to the Garda, to which he pleaded guilty.
Friel, who resides on Oliver Plunkett Road, is already serving a sentence at Wheatfield Prison for another crime, reports The Mirror.
The court noted that Garda McNulty had not submitted a victim impact statement.
While advocating for his client, Mr. O’Brien mentioned that the incident took place during a very difficult time in Friel’s life.
“He claims to have no recollection of the event. He expressed his apologies to the Garda member, although he understands that his actions are inexcusable. It was a regrettable event. The incident occurred when the Garda intervened, and that’s when she was kicked,” he stated, as reported by The Mirror.
He also mentioned that his client is currently on the proper medication and has participated in an education program while incarcerated.
The case was postponed to give Judge Eiteain Cunningham time to determine if she would accept jurisdiction over it. She remarked that Friel was “fortunate that this court accepted jurisdiction,” reports The Mirror.
She noted that Friel needed to understand that this was “a very serious matter” and that it fell at the higher end of the court’s jurisdiction.
Sentencing Friel to 10 months in prison, she said: “He kicked a female garda in the abdomen while she was carrying out her duties. I have to give him credit for his progress and for mitigation put forward,” reports The Mirror.
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