Ex-garda gets suspended sentence

The Court of Criminal Appeal has imposed a six-month suspended sentence on a former garda who assaulted a young student while on duty, after it upheld a bid by the State to have the leniency of his punishment reviewed.

Michael Kiernan (aged 54), with an address care of a firm of solicitors, was given three years' probation by Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin, Cork Circuit Court, after he pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to a 21-year-old UCC student at Hanover Street, Cork, on February 23, 2007.