Garda hit woman to protect self, court told

A garda who survived a gun attack while on holidays in the US two years ago claimed yesterday at Nenagh District Court that he had to strike out with his fist to protect himself from a woman who he says attacked him while he was on his way home from a night out.

Garda Brian Hanrahan, aged 34, of Dublin Rd, Nenagh, Co Tipperary, denied assaulting Eimear Kelly and Aisling King at Lisboney on March 5, 2016, after Ms King agreed to give him a lift home after he failed to get a taxi.

Ms Kelly recalled being with Ms King driving around Nenagh at around 4am on March 5, 2016, when they saw Mr Hanrahan trying to flag down cars.