Dublin soldier found not guilty of assaulting gardaí

A young Dublin soldier has been found not guilty of assaulting two gardaí at his 21st birthday party last year.

Naoise O’Conarain (22) had pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assaulting Andrew Quinn and Fiachra Molloy causing them harm at his Redwood Lawn, Kilnamanagh home in Tallaght on March 10th, 2013.

The jury of four women and eight men took one hour and 47 minutes to acquit Mr O’Conarain of both charges earlier today. It was day 11 of the trial.

Earlier this week, Judge Patrick McCartan directed the jury to find the accused not guilty of assaulting three more gardaí due to lack of evidence.

Judge McCartan thanked the jury for their time and effort and excused them from further service.  He told Mr O’Conarain that he was free to go. Mr O’Conarain has no previous convictions.