Sentence in siege case criticised

A trade union leader has criticised the suspended sentence given to Gerrit Isenborger for shooting two court officers during …

A trade union leader has criticised the suspended sentence given to Gerrit Isenborger for shooting two court officers during an eviction in Co Cavan.

Mr Paddy Woods, national officer of the Civil and Public Service Union, said the sentence would cause widespread concern to public servants.

One of his members, Mr Paul Comiskey, a court messenger, suffered gunshot wounds to the face, neck, chest and side during the eviction.

Mr Woods said his members felt it was "entirely wrong that an incident which resulted in serious injury to public officials going about their lawful duty should result in a suspended sentence. Whatever the particular circumstances of the case it appears to us that the impact on the victims was not properly considered."