Courts / Dublin / Report
High Court places stay on dismissal of garda who carried out 'terrifying, protracted assault' on then-wife
Summary
The High Court has granted a stay on a notice of dismissal against a garda convicted of assaulting his then-wife. Mr Justice Sara Phelan approved the stay, which suspends dismissal proceedings until 14 July. The garda, based in Dublin, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in April 2025 to assault in October 2012 and received a three-month suspended sentence in January 2026. Following conviction, An Garda Síochána Commissioner issued a dismissal notice in February, citing necessity to maintain public confidence. The applicant's legal representatives challenged the dismissal through judicial review, contending the Commissioner acted unlawfully and that the circumstances did not warrant dismissal under the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024. Counsel argued the garda was denied access to comparator cases and that standard disciplinary procedures remained available. The applicant, now a regular garda under suspension, was granted leave to pursue the judicial review challenge.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: High Court places stay on dismissal of garda who carried out 'terrifying, protracted assault' on then-wife. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision
When:
- April 2025 Hearing Or Sentence
- October 25, 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
- May 6, 2026 Incident
- November 2012 Incident
- July 14 Hearing Or Sentence
- October 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2026-05-20 Publication
Why: Bolger was irate because Ms Loftus spoke to her family and did not stay by his side and he sat at the bar drinking for the night, the court was told. CNI source report
Places mentioned
- Paul Neilan The High Court
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- High Court
Topics
Stage Hearing Or Decision Violent Crime
Related court reports
- Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
- Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
- Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
- 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
- Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
- 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'
Help us improve this report
Your request is saved for the newsroom's next review. It does not immediately change the published report.
Prefer email? Send a correction request.