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Jury convicts garda who struck RTE cameraman in groin

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court case, Garda Sean Lucey, aged 42, was convicted by a jury of assault causing harm after striking RTÉ cameraman Colm Hand in the groin with a baton during anti‑racism protests on Cathedral Street on 6 February 2016. The jury found Lucey guilty of assault after deliberating 2 hours 46 minutes, but found him not guilty of criminal damage to Hand's camera. Judge Melanie Greally adjourned the matter for sentencing on 7 February 2020 and remanded Lucey on continuing bail. Hand testified that he was filming with reporter Colman O'Sullivan when Lucey first struck his camera and then hit him in the groin, causing severe pain. Garda Michael Dibley, a fellow public‑order officer, testified that the crowd was hostile and that gardai were under extreme pressure, but that they were entitled to use batons to maintain a six‑foot distance.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jury convicts garda who struck RTE cameraman in groin. Charges or matters: one count of assault causing harm to Colm Hand at Cathedral Street, Dublin city centre on February 6, 2016 and to damaging his camera. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• February 6, 2016 Incident
• February 7, 2020 Adjournment
• 2019-12-12 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report