Garda ‘ended up in wrestling match’ with man

Gardaí dealing with a minor traffic matter outside a pub in Cork had to contend with a crowd gathering at the window and heckling them from the premises.

The shouting and abuse from some of the patrons at the pub at Bakers Rd, Gurranabraher, was so extensive that Garda Keith Aher went into the pub to restore order.

Insp Pat Meaney said those who had gathered at the window of the pub dispersed inside the premises when Garda Aher entered.

However, solicitor Eddie Burke accepted at Cork District Court yesterday that David Hennessy, of 4 Dunmore Gardens, Knocknaheeny, Cork, stood his ground when others moved away from the window.

Insp Meaney said: “Gardaí dealing with the minor traffic accident were subjected to insults from within the bar. Garda Aher went into investigate. He met with Mr Hennessy who became confrontational and the guard ended up in a wrestling match with him.

“Garda Aher left the pub and returned with reinforcements. Mr Hennessy was arrested.”

He had previous convictions for assault, assault causing harm and assault causing serious harm. He recently served a four-year jail sentence for one of these assaults.

Mr Burke said Hennessy, aged around 30, felt that with all the people who were involved in the incident he was the one who was targeted by gardaí. The solicitor said the defendant may have been somewhat paranoid in that regard.

Mr Burke also said there was no difficulty when the gardaí returned to arrest Hennessy.

The defendant pleaded guilty to obstructing Garda Aher.

Judge Olann Kelleher said that Hennessy could do 130 hours of community service instead of four months in prison.