'Hostile' anti-lockdown protestor jailed for throwing firework that perforated garda’s eardrum

The court heard that Jake Merriman also punched a garda in the face and kicked another garda in the testicles

The court heard that Jake Merriman, who runs his own power washing business, had €10,000 in court as a token of his remorse. File picture: Collins Courts

A garda’s eardrum was perforated after a protestor at an anti-lockdown demonstration threw a firework into the crowd, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard.

Jake Merriman (31) was jailed for 20 months on Tuesday after he pleaded guilty to endangerment on Grafton Street, Dublin on February 27, 2021. Additional charges of assaulting two gardaí were taken into account after the court heard that Merriman also punched a garda in the face and kicked another garda in the testicles.