Garda feared for life in attack which partially blinded him

A Garda sergeant feared he was going to die after he was hit in the face by a rock thrown during a fracas in Co Cork, a court has heard.

Sgt David Haughney suffered permanent damage and lost 75 per cent of the sight in one eye after he was struck by a rock thrown by Luke Quilligan on December 14th.

"I'm a goner," Sgt Haughney told Garda John Tarrant, who tried to shield him after he was knocked to the ground.

Insp Eoin Healy told Cork Circuit Criminal Court the two officers had been on patrol on a back road near Youghal when they came across brothers Luke (20) and John Quilligan (22). As they were talking to them, a car reversed into the driveway of a house nearby.

They drove up to the car and tried to block it but the driver, Lisa Quilligan Gray (27), tried to drive out aggressively. When Garda Tarrant spoke to her, Luke Quilligan and Sammy Quilligan (19) confronted him. Luke Quilligan started throwing rocks at the gardaí.

One hit Sgt Haughney in the face, fracturing his eye socket.

The four Quilligans took off in their car, which was now being driven by Patrick Cash (36) of St Vincent's Hostel, Cork.

Gardaí followed the Quilligans back to their home at Ballymartin, Dungourney, where a four-hour stand-off ensued. The Quilligans’ father, Simon (46), emerged from the family home and also attacked gardaí.

Two support units deployed Tasers, and the Quilligans armed themselves with slashhooks and shovels. Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin said it was an appalling night of violence.

He sentenced Luke Quilligan to five years after he pleaded guilty to assault causing serious harm. He suspended the last year. Sammy Quilligan and Lisa Quilligan Gray were sentenced to 18 months after they pleaded guilty to two counts of violent disorder. Cash pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and got an 18-month suspended sentence. He was also banned from driving for five years. The judge gave suspended sentences of 18 months to Simon Quilligan and 12 months to John Quilligan after they pleaded guilty to one count of violent disorder.