Trial against gardaí to resume on Tuesday

THE trial of four gardaí accused of offences arising out of an alleged assault on a man last year had to be adjourned when a barrister involved in the case could not be present.

The case against Sergeant Alan Kissane, Sgt Martha McEnery and Garda Daniel Hickey — who deny assaulting Anthony Holness, 38, causing him harm — will resume on Tuesday.

A case has also been brought against Gda John Burke, who denies acting with intent to impede the apprehension or prosecution of another and acting in a manner tending and intended to pervert the course of justice.

All four gardaí are based at Waterford Garda Station in Ballybricken in the city and the incidents are alleged to have occurred at about 2.30am on January 29 last year.

Waterford Circuit Court was told yesterday that Mary Ellen Ring SC, representing John Burke, had to travel to the US for family reasons.

Gda Burke’s junior counsel, Elaine Morgan BL, would take over the case but they would need some days to prepare for the remainder of the case, Judge Leonie Reynolds heard.

The judge adjourned the case until Tuesday morning.