Courts / Dublin / Report

Rapist threatened garda and told her "I hope you get run over by a bus"

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 4 April 2019, John Gavin, 31, pleaded guilty to threatening Garda Sergeant Amanda Flood at the Four Courts on 29 May 2015. Gavin, who was already serving a six‑year sentence for rape, followed the sergeant around the courtroom, shouting that the law was corrupt and that she would "get run over by a bus." He also threatened to "smash this court up" and said "I hope you die roaring," until additional Gardaí arrived. The court heard that Gavin had 108 prior convictions, including assault and violent disorder, and that he had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and was taking anti‑psychotic medication. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced him to 20 months imprisonment, to run consecutively to his existing sentence. The victim impact statement noted that the incident was the most distressing of Sergeant Flood's 15‑year career, prompting her to return home for a few weeks.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Rapist threatened garda and told her "I hope you get run over by a bus". Charges or matters: threatening Garda Sergeant Amanda Flood at Four Courts, Chancery Street, on May 29, 2015. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• May 29, 2015 Incident
• October 18, 2021 Incident
• 2019-04-04 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Sexual Offences Stage Sentence Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report