Courts / Dublin / Report
"Menace to society" threatened to head-butt garda
Summary
Peter Ward, aged 33, was given a two‑and‑a‑half‑year suspended sentence after pleading guilty to possession of cannabis and threatening to assault a Garda while being transported to prison. Gardaí discovered €60 of cannabis in his Dublin home and found a warrant for his arrest because he had failed to pay a €500 fine. Detective Garda Michael Parry Jones offered Ward the choice of paying the fine or serving 15 days in Midlands Prison; Ward chose prison. While en route, he verbally abused the detective, threatened to leave the country, and lunged at him with his head in an attempt to head‑butt. The officer restrained Ward, who then fled to Blanchardstown Garda Station where he paid the fine. Judge Martin Nolan, describing Ward as a "menace to society," suspended the sentence on strict conditions, noting Ward's remorse, his willingness to donate €500 to a charity, and his progress in overcoming a crack cocaine addiction.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: "Menace to society" threatened to head-butt garda. Charges or matters: possession of the cannabis and threatening to assault a garda in the execution of his duties on November 8, 2016. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- November 8, 2016 Incident
- 2019-05-15 Publication
Why: Gardaí had just discovered €60 worth of cannabis in Peter Ward's Dublin home and became aware that there was a warrant for his arrest because of his failure to pay a €500 fine. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: possession of the cannabis and threatening to assault a garda in the execution of his duties on November 8, 2016 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Nolan suspended a two and half year sentence in full on strict conditions.
Places mentioned
- Midlands Prison
- to divert to Blanchardstown Garda Station
- Blanchardstown
- On arrival at the garda station
- Hazelcroft Gardens
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
Drugs Stage Sentence Violent Crime
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