Courts / Dublin / Report
Teen who pushed garda to ground and kicked her as she lay unconscious avoids jail
Summary
In a 2015 incident at a house party in Clarehall, Dublin, 17‑year‑old Leon Kavanagh, then intoxicated, assaulted Garda Paula Carter. While Carter was attempting to locate a missing boy, Kavanagh pushed her to the ground, striking her head and rendering her unconscious. He then kicked her several times while she lay on the footpath. Kavanagh fled but was later arrested and pleaded guilty to assault of a peace officer and violent disorder. In 2017, the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court imposed a suspended sentence of three years, suspended in full on strict conditions, including attendance at alcohol, offending behaviour and anger‑management courses. The judge noted Kavanagh's early guilty plea, remorse, and his enrollment in courses and full‑time employment. The court also heard that Carter suffered anxiety and physical injuries from the assault. The case highlighted the seriousness of assaulting a peace officer and the court's willingness to impose suspended sentences under certain conditions.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Teen who pushed garda to ground and kicked her as she lay unconscious avoids jail. Charges or matters: assault of a peace officer and violent disorder at an address in Clarehall, Dublin 17 on February 14, 2015. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- February 14, 2015 Incident
- 2017-12-21 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: assault of a peace officer and violent disorder at an address in Clarehall, Dublin 17 on February 14, 2015 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: She imposed sentences totalling three years which she suspended in full on strict conditions, including that he attend alcohol, offending behaviour and anger management work.
Places mentioned
- Buttercup Park
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Beaumount hospital
Topics
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