A WOMAN on trial for assault has claimed she and her partner were the victims of Garda brutality when she was pregnant and he had a heart condition.
Her partner, who is on trial with her, was described by a garda as “one of the most violent persons” he had ever met.
William Wynne (49), Rafters Lane, Drimnagh, Dublin, has pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to threatening to kill Garda Eddie O’Reilly and Garda Pat Kirwan in July 2005.
Lorraine Keegan (43), a mother of two, and Mr Wynne have pleaded not guilty to assaulting Garda Michael O’Donovan. Ms Keegan, who subsequently lost her baby, denies assaulting Garda Kirwin on the same occasion after a domestic dispute outside their home.
Garda O’Donovan described Mr Wynne as “one of the most violent persons I have met” and said he was off work for eight months after the attack and had to wait for six months to find out that he was clear of hepatitis and HIV.
Garda O’Donovan told Bernard Condon, prosecuting, that Ms Keegan, a care assistant at St Vincent’s hospital, bit him in the arm and neck and scratched him with her nails. He said he and Garda O’Reilly found the pair arguing on the street at about 1.15am.
Ms Keegan had blood at about her mouth and both were drunk. Mr Wynne punched the garda when asked to calm down.