Three fisherman, who formed a "rugby like scrum" to force a Garda Sergeant into a drain during protests at the Corrib gas terminal in Bellanaboy last October, were each sentenced to three months in prison and fined €500 each and by a District Court Judge yesterday.
Father and son Patrick (49) and Jonathan O'Donnell (21), Porturlin Shore, Ballina, Co Mayo, were found guilty by Judge Mary Devins at Belmullet District Court of assaulting Sgt Donal Glennon during a Shell to Sea protest on October 12th last.
Jonathan O'Donnell was sentenced to a further month in prison and fined a further €250 for assaulting Garda Barry Byrne on the same date.
The prison sentences are to run consecutively.
A third defendant, Enda Carey (21), Porturlin, Ballina, was sentenced to three months in prison and fined €500 by Judge Devins for assaulting Sgt Glennon. Recognisances were fixed in the event of an appeal.
At previous hearings, it was alleged by State witnesses that Sergeant Glennon had his right thumb fractured when he was 'backflipped' into a drain during protests.
Sgt Glennon gave evidence that he landed head first in water after being stuck in the midriff in the front during the incident.
Judge Devins visited the location where the alleged assault had taken place before making her decision.
Yesterday, she refused a plea by Alan Gannon, solicitor, to suspend the sentences.
