Cork man who choked one garda and hit another with a crutch jailed for four years

Cork Circuit Criminal Court also heard that the homeless man dragged on of the gardaí by the hair as he resisted arrest

Cork Circuit Criminal Court was told that one garda was out of work for 82 days as a result of her injuries and her colleague was out of work for 132 days. File picture: Dan Linehan

A homeless man who choked a garda and dragged her by the hair before striking another garda in the head and body with another person’s crutch during an early afternoon incident in Cork City has been jailed for four years.

Garda Ruth Maher was out of work for 82 days as a result of her injuries and her colleague Garda Paul Dromey was out of work for 132 days as a result of his injuries.

At Cork Circuit Criminal Court on Wednesday, 33-year-old Darren Warren of no fixed address was jailed for four years and six months with the last six months of that sentence suspended for offences including assault causing harm to both gardaí, production of a crutch during the violent incident, and related charges of resisting gardaí.

Judge Helen Boyle said: “This happened in broad daylight in Cork city centre. Two guards came across you acting aggressively to a female. I have seen the CCTV and they were dealing with you in a perfectly ordinary manner, talking with you, engaging with you. 

"When there was an attempt to arrest you, you assaulted both of them. It had a serious impact on two members who are entitled to go to work and go home from work safe and sound every day.

You used to play with the Cork minors but you have fallen a long way since then. 

"You are at a high risk of re-offending unless you address your risk factors.” 

Sergeant Alan Hurson described the background to the attacks on Garda Maher and Garda Dromey at Lapp’s Quay, Cork, on October 18, 2024. The two gardaí were on duty in the area at 2.45pm that day when they became aware of a group of unruly homeless people in the Lapps Quay area. 

One man was acting aggressively towards a woman so gardaí approached. Darren Warren gave a false name and later resisted arrest by putting his arms firmly behind his back as Garda Dromey was trying to arrest him. 

Garda Maher came to his assistance but Darren Warren caught her in a doorway and was choking her. He then caught Garda Maher by the hair and dragged her on to Lapp’s Quay.

As Garda Dromey intervened he received punches to the head. Pepper spray had to be used on the accused. Despite this, Darren Warren grabbed a crutch from a woman and struck Garda Dromey with it in the head, arm and body.

Apology

The defendant’s previous convictions include one for assault, one for assault causing harm, one for assaulting a police officer and four for obstructing or resisting a police officer as well as public order offences.

Jessica Kelleher, defence barrister, said the accused had written a letter of apology to the two gardaí. She said Mr Warren had mental health difficulties.

“No doubt it is a nasty incident. Mr Warren accepts that. There is no getting away from it. Also there is not a very good probation report on him. I think the letter of apology shows some insight into his behaviour. 

"He was homeless at the time and in the throes of his alcohol addiction. He was a working, contributing member of society before this and he wants this for his life,” Ms Kelleher said.