Garda jailed for attack on drunk man

A SERVING garda was given an 18-month jail term — with 12 months suspended — yesterday for seriously assaulting a man in Cork city centre while off-duty.

Dean Foley of Blarney, Co Cork, who was stationed at Bantry, Co Cork, pleaded guilty in Cork Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm to Stephen Gerard Murphy, of Grenagh, Co Cork, on September 12, 2009.

The assault followed an exchange of words where Mr Murphy referred to Foley’s brother, Travis Foley, as wearing “a gay shirt”.