‘Attacks on gardaí have to stop’ – Louth man tried to drag garda into cell after pub fight
The Drogheda Independent“Attacks on gardaí have to stop and can’t be tolerated,” a judge has remarked after hearing that a man ripped an officer’s stab vest as he tried to pull him into a cell at Drogheda Garda Station.
Thomas McDonagh (50), St Laurence’s Park, Drogheda, had been arrested for fighting outside a pub when the incident occurred last year.
He was summonsed for assaulting the garda and for causing criminal damage which related to the stab vest.
The defendant, who has previous convictions, pleaded guilty and was given time to get compensation.
Evidence was presented that on December 6, 2024, gardaí were called to where the defendant was one of a number of people fighting outside The Pheasant, Duleek Street.
He refused to leave the area. A struggle ensued and he was arrested.
At the garda station Mr McDonagh continued to be aggressive. He grabbed one of the officers on the arm. The guard managed to break free.
The defendant then struck him and tried to pull the man by the stab vest he was wearing into a cell. He wanted to fight him.
Again, the garda broke away. His stab vest was ripped. It cost €300 to replace.
Court presenter Sgt John O’Hehir added that his colleague was “shook” but had no lasting effects and had returned to duty.
There were 27 previous convictions, the most recent in 2014.
Solicitor Dermot Monahan said that his client was very embarrassed about this. There was nothing good he could say. It was “deplorable behaviour”.
Mr McDonagh didn’t normally drink. On this occasion he was on medication and went out. He had little memory of what happened.
The solicitor said it was an early plea. The defendant was willing to pay €300 for the stab vast and donate another €300 to the Garda Benevolent Fund.
"This court has no tolerance whatsoever for violence against An Garda Síochána,” Judge Mark O’Connell remarked.
"They have a difficult job to do and on the vast majority of occasions show restraint.”
The judge convicted Thomas McDonagh of assault and took the criminal damage summons into consideration.
"Attacks on gardaí have to stop and can’t be tolerated,” he said, adding, if anything, the effects (in this case) “are being played down”.
While the officer didn’t solicit compensation, Judge O’Connell said that in lieu of a fine he wanted €500 compensation paid.
The matter was adjourned for that purpose to November 17.