Young Limerick man jailed for female garda's 'viral assault' that left her in constant pain

Sgt Edel Burke receives five grams of two injections into her elbow every six to eight weeks to deal with the pain.

Community Policing Sgt Burke said: “My unit has lost their sergeant and I have lost my unit. I am unsure of my return-to-work date or what responsibilities I will have but I am not able for full confrontational duty at present.” File picture: Andy Gibson

A judge has jailed a 21-year-old Limerick man for six months for a ‘viral assault’ on a female Garda Sergeant who remains in constant pain and is unable to return to work two years after the late night assault at the seaside resort of Kilkee.

At Kilrush Circuit Court, Judge Francis Comerford imposed a 30-month prison sentence suspending the final 24 months on apprentice mechanic, Stephen Cotter of Oakfield, Fr Russell Road, Dooradoyle, Limerick, after he pleaded guilty to the assault causing harm of Sgt Edel Burke on August 1, 2020, the Saturday night of the August Bank Holiday weekend.