Garda to face trial over alleged assault and theft of €6.25

A Dublin-based garda who denies claims he assaulted a man and stole money from him during an alleged incident last year is to face trial in December.

The officer's trial comes following an investigation by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC).

A complaint was initially made to GSOC in February and summonses were served on the officer who appeared again at Dublin District Court yesterday. In July, he had been granted an adjournment to allow him to consider his plea.

Padraig Dennehy, who is attached to Mountjoy station in Dublin, is facing two charges arising out of an alleged incident on March 3rd, 2013.

It is claimed he assaulted a named male at Parnell Square West, Dublin, contrary to section 2 of the Non-Fatal Offences Act, an offence that can, subject to conviction, carry a six-month sentence as well as a fine, and is confined to the jurisdiction of the District Court.

His second charge is under section 4 of the Theft and Fraud Offences Act for the alleged theft of €6.25 from the same complainant. On conviction, this can also result in a fine and a possible sentence.

Disclosure

The State had already complied with an order for disclosure of evidence so the defence could consider it before indicating how the accused would plead to the charges.

The officer did not address the court when his case resumed but his solicitor, Liz Hughes, told Judge John O’Neill the application she was instructed to make was to ask for a hearing. This means the allegations will be contested.

“It is estimated it will take a full day,” Ms Hughes added in relation to the trial.

Prosecution solicitor Michael Durkan, for the DPP, said the State’s evidence included CCTV footage and a courtroom with facilities to show it during the hearing was required.