Courts / Dublin / Report
Garda to be sentenced for assaulting RTE cameraman
Summary
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Garda Sean Lucey, aged 42, was set to be sentenced for assaulting RTÉ cameraman Mr Colm Hand during street protests on 6 February 2016. Lucey, a public order officer stationed at Crumlin Village and Sundrive Road, struck Hand in the groin with a baton while Hand was filming. Hand suffered bruising and pain and later described sleeplessness, worry and stress in his victim impact statement, claiming the incident shattered his confidence. Lucey pleaded not guilty to one count of assault causing harm and to damaging Hand's camera. He was convicted of assault after a five‑day trial in December and acquitted of the criminal damage charge. The judge adjourned finalisation of the case until the following Friday, remanding Lucey on continuing bail while considering a deferred sentence under Section 100 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Garda to be sentenced for assaulting RTE cameraman. Charges or matters: one count of assault causing harm to Mr Hand at Cathedral Street, Dublin city centre on February 6, 2016 and to damaging his camera; assaulting Mr Hand following a five-day trial last December and acquitted of the criminal damage charge. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Convicted
When:
- February 6, 2016 Incident
- 2020-02-28 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: one count of assault causing harm to Mr Hand at Cathedral Street, Dublin city centre on February 6, 2016 and to damaging his camera; assaulting Mr Hand following a five-day trial last December and acquitted of the criminal damage charge (Proven)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; Mr Dwyer asked the court to consider Section 100 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006, in which a fine can be imposed and a sentence deferred to a later date. The court can order certain conditions to be met and if these are complied with, the deferred sentence is not imposed.; Judge Melanie Greally told Mr Dwyer this was "quite a big ask in the circumstances" and adjourned finalisation of the case until next Friday.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Crumlin
- Sundrive Road
- Cathedral Street
- Dublin city
Topics
Public Order Stage Sentence Violent Crime
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