Courts / Dublin / Report

Soldier cleared of assaulting two gardai at 21st after-party

Summary

A 22‑year‑old Dublin soldier, Naoise O'Conarain, was acquitted by a jury of assault charges against two Gardaí, Andrew Quinn and Fiachra Molloy, following an incident at his home on 10 March 2013. The trial, held in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, lasted 11 days and the jury found him not guilty after 1 hour 47 minutes of deliberation. Judge Patrick McCartan had earlier directed the jury to acquit him of assaulting three additional Gardaí due to lack of evidence. O'Conarain had no prior convictions. The Gardaí testified that he struck them in the bathroom after a domestic disturbance call. O'Conarain's mother, Olga Howlett, claimed the Gardaí used "uncalled for" language and beat her son, while a family friend, Keith Henry, said the officers could have handled the situation better. The court heard that the Gardaí had used pepper spray and a disposable razor during the altercation. No further charges were pursued.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Soldier cleared of assaulting two gardai at 21st after-party. Charges or matters: assaulting Gdi Andrew Quinn and Fiachra Molloy causing them harm at his Redwood Lawn, Kilnamanagh home in Tallaght on March 10, 2013. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• March 10, 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2014-10-31 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report