Man who called garda "Free State c***", assaulted him and “took a hold” of his pistol loses appeal bid

Pat Barry, aged 57, of St Bridget's Terrace, Bundoran, Co Donegal, has lost his appeal against conviction in the Court of Appeal. Barry was found guilty by jury at Naas Circuit Criminal Court in 2013 of assaulting Detective Garda Rory Sheriff causing harm, and of engaging in threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour at Sallins, Co Kildare on 13 June 2010. He was sentenced to three years imprisonment with the final six months suspended. The assault occurred in Naas Garda Station after Barry, who had attended a Republican Sinn Féin commemoration in Sallins, was arrested following a confrontation with gardaí. During the incident at the garda station, Barry punched the detective garda and "took a hold" of his pistol. Mr Justice George Birmingham dismissed the appeal, finding that the detective garda's demand for Barry's name and address was justified by Barry's conduct. The court found no merit in submissions regarding the lawfulness of the arrest or the absence of CCTV footage from the Sallins incident.