Garda convicted of groping female colleague is fined €2,000

A garda sergeant facing the sack for groping a female colleague at a Dublin garda station has been fined €2,000.

The 49-year-old who has a similar conviction against another colleague, was found guilty at Dublin District Court on two charges of sexual assault dating to March and June of 2010

The sergeant claimed on one occasion he accidentally made contact trying to squeeze past the female garda.

His comment 'you like it like this' was his way, he said, of lightening an awkward, embarrassing moment.

But last week Judge Bridget Reilly found the touching on both occasions was deliberate and she put sentencing back until today.

Today the judge said she was not imposing a jail sentence as she was mindful of very serious consquences visted upon the sergeant on his career.

In separate proceedings earlier this week, the sergeant was convicted and fined €1,000 for groping another female garda.