Courts / Laois / Report
Prisoner claimed ex-garda inmate "requested" assault
Summary
During a Court of Appeal hearing on 21 December 2016, Gerard Brown, aged 34, was found guilty of assaulting fellow inmate Stephen Cooper, an ex‑garda, on 20 May 2014 at Midlands Prison. Brown had been sentenced to three years' imprisonment, consecutive to a term already served, after a jury at Portlaoise Circuit Criminal Court convicted him of assault causing harm. Brown claimed that Cooper had requested the assault to facilitate his early release on safety grounds, alleging that Cooper had instructed him to "not hold back" and to "just make sure there is blood", and that Cooper had offered documentation, information and €1,000 in return. Cooper denied any consent and insisted there was no agreement.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Prisoner claimed ex-garda inmate "requested" assault. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty
When:
- May 20, 2014 Incident
- 2016-12-21 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Finding: Found guilty
Outcome: Found guilty; Brown was found guilty by a jury at Portlaoise Circuit Criminal Court and sentenced to three years imprisonment made consecutive to a term already being served.
Places mentioned
- Court of Appeal
- Portlaoise
- Portlaoise Circuit Criminal Court
- Midlands Prison
Topics
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