Garda accepts his attacker’s apology

A garda who was punched to the ground in a violent incident has accepted an apology from the attacker, who was yesterday jailed for nine months.

Aran Shanahan, with addresses at Pine Walk, Muskerry Estate, Ballincollig, and Dromcullen, Beal Na Morrive, pleaded guilty to a charge of assault causing harm, and a variety of public order charges arising from two incidents last summer.

Judge Olann Kelleher said: “He viciously assaulted Garda Jonathan O’Sullivan. I have read the victim impact statement. It affected this young guard and his family, causing them distress. I note that the guard accepts Mr Shanahan’s apology. I will take that into consideration.