Violent with gardaí as girlfriend arrested

A man got involved when gardaí were dealing with his girlfriend and ended up in a struggle with a garda. The incident occurred almost a year ago when Garda Craig Peterson was trying to arrest a young woman.

Inspector John Deasy said gardaí were dealing with an incident at Glencree Crescent, Cork, at 11.15pm on January 21. A woman was causing a disturbance by banging on a door and shouting drunken abuse. Inspector Deasy said Gavin Foley, 26, of 9, Adelaide Place, Gardiner’s Hill, Cork, got involved in the incident.

Garda Richard Casey tried to keep Foley from interfering with the woman’s arrest. However, Foley kicked Garda Casey and was verbally abusive to him. “He kicked Garda Casey to the ground and kept lashing out with his arms. He had to be struck twice with a baton in order to get him to desist,” Insp Deasy said.

Foley pleaded guilty yesterday to charges of obstructing Garda Casey and engaging in threatening behaviour. Judge Olann Kelleher fined him €300 for his threatening behaviour.

He said the accused could do 200 hours of community service instead of three months in prison.

A six-month suspended sentence was also imposed.