Senior garda wins appeal against judge’s contempt of court ruling

A SENIOR garda has won his appeal against a district court judge’s decision to hold him in contempt of court.

Judge Seán O Donnabháin said yesterday that having heard the uncontested facts at a circuit court sitting in Midleton, Co Cork, there were no grounds in law or in fact to hold Midleton-based Detective Inspector Brian Goulding in contempt.

Det Insp Goulding’s appeal arose out of circumstances that unfolded during a monthly sitting of the family court in Midleton in 2008, when he held the rank of inspector.