A Garda was surrounded by a group of people who assaulted him after he attended the scene of one of two shootings in a large housing estate in Dundalk, the local circuit court heard yesterday.
Six men pleaded guilty to violent disorder in Muirhevnamore on September 25th, 2000, during which Garda Gerard Collins was assaulted and forced to release two men, one he had just arrested, as he feared for his own safety.
Judge Raymond Groarke said the garda's account of what happened on the night was horrifying and he had been subjected to a violent attack by two of the accused - Mark Jackson and Niall Smyth - and that the others before the court had by their presence and encouragement supported the attack.
Garda Collins said he had gone to the Glenmore Park area of Muirhevnamore as a youth had been shot and was lying on the driveway in front of a house. He was bleeding from a stomach wound and was being attended to by an ambulance crew.
At a nearby house he saw a large group of people pass by and heard glass smashing.
He found Mark Jackson (23), Grange Drive, Muirhevnamore, holding a plank of wood beside a car with broken windows. Jackson resisted arrest and the garda was surrounded by a crowd including Niall Smyth (23), Doolargy Avenue, Muirhevnamore, who said Garda Collins wasn't taking anyone anywhere.
At one point the garda had a hold of each of the men but was receiving blows to his head and body and kicks to his legs and ended up with his back against a wall surrounded by a group. Garda Collins managed to call for back up but said for his own safety he let go of the men.
Jackson also bit the garda on the ear.
Thomas Smyth (20), also of Doolargy Avenue; Joseph Bailey (25), Grande Close, Muirhevnamore; Mario Shiavone (26), Aghameen Park, Dundalk, and Patrick Gregg (22), Grange Drive, Muirhevnamore, also pleaded guilty.
Judge Groarke said it was a horrifying account of what happened and he sentenced Niall Smyth to three years.
He sentenced Thomas Smyth to two years and ordered he serve a suspended sentence of four years, the terms of which he had breached by being involved in the assault. He sentenced Bailey to two years.
He remanded Jackson, Shiavone and Gregg in custody until next term to consider further their sentencing.