Courts / Mayo / Report
Man who assaulted garda sergeant claims he is being "set up" and "framed"
Summary
A Mayo man convicted of assaulting a garda sergeant has maintained his innocence, claiming he was "set up" and "framed" by gardaí. Joseph Doocey, aged 51, from Knoxbarret in Ballina, was found guilty by jury verdict in October of eleven counts including assault causing harm to Sergeant Declan Casey, dangerous driving, and criminal damage following a hit-and-run incident on June 8, 2015 near Font Cross, Ballina. The incident involved Doocey's vehicle striking Sergeant Casey at a checkpoint, subsequently reversing over him, and driving dangerously before being abandoned near Killala. Doocey testified that gardaí had conducted a prolonged campaign against him and alleged witnesses were planted and evidence tampered with. His legal representative described him as fundamentally honest, though acknowledging his strong opinions. Sentence finalisation was adjourned at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court pending Doocey's agreement to cease any hostile conduct towards Sergeant Casey and his family. Doocey remained remanded in custody.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man who assaulted garda sergeant claims he is being "set up" and "framed". Charges or matters: assaulting a garda sergeant in a hit-and-run has told a court he was "set up" and "framed" by gardaí. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Convicted
When:
- December 20 Incident
- June 8, 2015 Incident
- June 5 Incident
- February 1, 2016 Incident
- July 24 Incident
- 2017-12-07 Publication
Why: Doocey said, "the way she (the probation officer) explained it, was that because I don't do drugs, don't drink, don't do gambling (sic), I wasn't really a candidate for probation". CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: assaulting a garda sergeant in a hit-and-run has told a court he was "set up" and "framed" by gardaí (Proven)
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; However, Judge Greally ruled that while she didn't want to get "side-tracked" from what Doocey was being sentenced for, there was a "clear link" between him and some of the distressing material that had been posted online.; Judge Melanie Greally adjourned the sentence after she ascertained from the defence counsel that Doocey would be willing to desist from his "campaign of hostility" against Sgt Casey, his family, friends and colleagues as a condition of his sentencing.
Places mentioned
Topics
Road Traffic Stage Sentence Violent Crime
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