Four gardaí facing assault trial

Four gardaí have denied assaulting a Dublin teenager while his mother was held against her will.

Four gardaí have denied assaulting a Dublin teenager while his mother was held against her will.

Alan Conlon, Claire Delaney, Eoin Murtagh and Sean O’Leary have pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to forcing entry to a Basin Street Upper premises, entering as trespassers and assaulting Owen Gaffney (21) causing him harm, on February 17th, 2008.

Garda Murtagh, Garda Conlon and Garda Delaney also pleaded not guilty to falsely imprisoning Mr Gaffney's mother Fidelma on the same date.

The four co-accused pleaded not guilty to each of the charges at Dublin Circuit Court.

The court heard the trial is expected to last between three and four weeks.

Gda Delaney, Gda Murtagh and Gda O’Leary were stationed in Kilmainham at the time. Gda Conlon was stationed at Kevin Street station.

A jury was sworn in  today before the case was adjourned by Judge Desmond Hogan until tomorrow morning, when it will be opened by prosecution barrister Tom O’Connell SC.

  • Join The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to date

  • Sign up for push alerts to get the best breaking news, analysis and comment delivered directly to your phone

  • Listen to In The News podcast daily for a deep dive on the stories that matter