Prison term for ‘kung fu’ attack on garda suspended

A darkly dressed man rambling along the middle of the road at night gave a garda a kung fu-style kick to the chest and yesterday a four-month jail sentence imposed previously was suspended after evidence that he had attended alcohol rehabilitation.

Keith Rock, 38, of 10 Woodside, Ballinora, Waterfall, County Cork, pleaded guilty at Cork District Court to a charge of assault causing harm to Garda Hilary Daly.

Sergeant Pat Lyons of Ballincollig Garda Station outlined the background to the case at Cork Circuit Appeals Court yesterday.

The incident happened the night before New Year’s Eve last year and Rock had been drinking all day at the local rugby club, Sgt Lyons said.

Sgt Lyons said yesterday that Garda Hilary Daly and Garda Seán Lee saw the accused walking in the middle of the road in Ballincollig and he represented a particular danger as he was drunk and wearing dark clothing.

“He took offence at being stopped by gardaí despite being in the middle of the road. He resisted arrest and became aggressive.

“He kicked Garda Hilary Daly and she suffered bruising, Sgt Lyons said.

In the original sentencing hearing at the district court Judge Olann Kelleher said, “I have to take into account that was a Kung fu type kick.

“It is a very serious matter. Gardaí have to do a difficult job.”

Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin said: “In view of the fact that he has been seeking treatment I will suspend the sentence for six months.”