Carpenter sues senior garda over alleged assault in pub
Darren Rogan, of Breanross, Mohill, has brought an action for damages against Sergeant Kevin English (now Inspector English) of Carrick on Shannon and the State. The hearing before Mr Justice de Valera and a jury was adjourned until today.
John O'Kelly, for Mr Rogan, opening the action said his client was 19 at the time of the incident in O'Brien's pub in Mohill on January 19, 1999. Between 12.30am and 1am, while Mr Rogan was having a drink, Sgt English came and proceeded to clear the bar.
Darren finished his drink and as he walked out he alleged Sergeant English struck him with a torch in the groin area and he went down in a lot of pain. As he got up Sgt English had said: "You must be drunk."
Mr O'Kelly said his client had undergone a number of operations in the groin area since receiving an injury in 1992 and had been in ongoing pain.
He was upset by what had happened because he did not expect it. He went from the bar to Swingers disco and asked Sgt English for an explanation but the sergeant was not prepared to give one.
Nine days later he was prosecuted for allegedly failing to obey garda directions; refusing to give his name and address, using abusive and insulting behaviour and disorderly conduct.
How many people, asked Mr O'Kelly, could do these things without being arrested? The matter was thrown out in the district court because there was no case.
Mr Rogan in evidence said he had never been convicted of a crime. As he was leaving the pub he had said goodnight to Sgt English who struck him in the groin. The sergeant had denied hitting him and later refused to give his name. He (Mr Rogan) then refused to give the sergeant his name.
He said he had been shocked and could not believe what had happened to him.
John O'Donnell, for Sgt English, suggested that Mr Rogan did not obey Sgt English's request to leave and had told the sergeant he would finish his drink. Mr Rogan said he had not addressed the remark to the inspector but to someone beside him.
Mr Rogan denied he said to another garda: "I will get the f***er" (referring to Sgt English). He was not drunk and slurring his words and did not say to Sgt English: "I will get you."
