Garda assault appeal fails

A man arrested at a Republican Sinn Féin commemoration who went on to assault a detective garda and “took a hold” of his pistol has lost an appeal against conviction.

Pat Barry, aged 57, of St Bridget’s Terrace, Bundoran, Co Donegal pleaded not guilty to assault causing harm to Detective Garda Rory Sheriff in Naas Garda Station and to engaging in threatening, abusive, and insulting behaviour at Sallins, Co Kildare, on June 13, 2010.

He was found guilty by a jury at Naas Circuit Criminal Court and sentenced to three years imprisonment, with the final six months suspended, by Judge Leonie Reynolds on June 11, 2013.