A probationary garda who was dismissed two weeks before he was due to be sworn in had a charge of assaulting a prisoner dismissed in Dublin District Court.
Mr Declan Healy (25) of Palmerston Court, Rathmines, had been on duty at the Bridewell station when he was alleged to have assaulted Mr David Keogh of Oliver Bond House, Dublin. After the hearing, Mr Healy's solicitor, Mr Paudge Dorian, said his client had been dismissed mainly because of this alleged assault and had initiated High Court proceedings. After hearing prosecution evidence, Judge Brian Kirby dismissed the charge.
A prison officer and witness for the prosecution, Mr Adrian Sweeney, said that on February 17th he and two other prison officers were escorting Mr Keogh (31) back to a cell in the Bridewell after his court appearance. As they were going to the cell, Garda Healy said he wanted to search the prisoner, who reacted in a very agitated way and became verbally abusive.
As Garda Healy went to make the search, the prisoner made a sudden upward gesture with his hands, which were restrained in rigid handcuffs. Garda Healy had lashed out with his hand in what he would describe as a defensive move. Mr Keogh received bruising near his left eye and suffered from headaches as a result of the incident, the court heard.