Baton ‘used twice’ to break grip on garda

A GARDA yesterday told a court he had to twice use his baton to break the grip of a man who was holding a female colleague in the groin area during an incident at Puck Fair, in Killorglin, Co Kerry.

Garda Paul Ruby, of Killorglin, whose baton was handed to jury members for inspection, said the man had repeatedly refused to obey his instructions to leave the female garda alone.

Cyril Moriarty, aged 53, of Tulligbeg, Killorglin, is on trial at the Circuit Criminal Court, in Tralee, charged with sexually assaulting the garda, as well as assault causing harm and obstruction, in Killorglin, early on August 13, 2008.