An experienced Garda said he felt like a "sitting duck" after being trapped and set upon in his patrol car during a terrifying attack in Co Donegal.
Garda Fiachra O'Hara was attacked by John Martin Ward after he went to answer reports of a public order incident alone.
When he arrived at the scene at Supervalu car park in Bundoran on July 21st, 2021, he found a large crowd had gathered.
The garda heard someone shout "get the keys" and he was approached by Ward (40).
Ward appeared at Donegal Circuit Court after he pleaded to assault causing harm to Gda O'Hara during the incident.
The court heard Ward, who has 137 previous convictions, tried to pull the keys from the Garda patrol car.
Gda O'Hara struggled with Ward, who grabbed and twisted the garda's thumb, straining it badly. The court heard the injury was sufficient to hinder Gda O'Hara in using his pepper spray.
Ward managed to flee the scene after he was driven away by his mother.
He presented himself at Ballyshannon Garda station a few days later and was arrested.
No recollection
Ward, of Country Meadows, Tuam, Co Galway, said he had no recollection of the attack on Gda O'Hara.
Barrister for the State, Mr Donal Keane, BL, said that during Garda interview, Ward said that if he did assault the garda, that he was really sorry. However, he added: "But I'm not accepting it, I'll have to find out more."
A victim impact statement on behalf of Gda O'Hara said that in almost 30 years as a member of An Garda Síochána, this was the most frightening experience he had endured.
"In those 30 years, I have been at numerous, problematic and hostile situations, but none like the one on July 24th, 2021. I was a complete sitting duck when John Martin Ward lunged into the patrol car, and I was then his prisoner," he said.
Ward again apologised to Gda O'Hara, with the court hearing that he had already apologised to the garda in person at Ballyshannon Garda station.
He also told the court that he had battled alcoholism all his life after his father walked out on his mother and siblings when he was just 13. He added that drink has been at the root of all his problems.
Ward's barrister, Colm Smith SC, echoed this, stating all of his client's problems seem deep-rooted in a helpless addiction situation, but now that he has been in prison for some time, he has mended his ways.
Judge John Aylmer said the incident was a very traumatising event for Gda O'Hara, and that while the physical injuries were fortunately not too severe, he was extremely terrorised during the ordeal.
"He was alone and the accused disabled him and climbed in on top of him. Gardaí are performing a very dangerous job, and they need the protection of the law to deter this type of offence," the judge said.
Placing the assault in the mid-range of such offences, the judge said it merited a prison sentence of three years before mitigation.
Considering Ward's remorse, guilty plea and rehabilitation efforts, noting his issues with alcohol as an explanation and not an excuse, Judge Aylmer reduced the sentence to two years in prison, suspending the final nine months.
The judge imposed a number of conditions, including that Ward abstain from alcohol for 18 months after his release and engage with the probation services and undertake whatever addiction counselling support is made available to him.
