Courts / Dublin / Report

No jail for addict who sprayed blood and phlegm at gardai and paramedic

Date
2021-01-12

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Dillon Harris, 24, a recovering drug addict, was sentenced to a fully suspended prison term after a series of violent incidents in Dublin. On 21 November 2017, he spat blood, phlegm and saliva at Garda Gerard Whelan, Garda Peter Byrne and Dublin Fire Brigade Sub Officer Peter Fitzgerald, claiming he had AIDS. He also pleaded guilty to driving a stolen Volkswagen Estate without the owner's consent and to reckless endangerment. Harris crashed the stolen car into a wall, causing €3,456 in damage to an Opel Corsa and forcing a pedestrian to jump out of the way. He had no prior convictions. The judge imposed concurrent prison terms of 22 months and two years, suspended for five years on the condition of sobriety, participation in a restorative justice programme and victim‑focused work. The sentence was split between the victims and a charity of their choice.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: No jail for addict who sprayed blood and phlegm at gardai and paramedic. Charges or matters: spraying blood at Gda Whelan, Garda Peter Byrne and Sub Officer Fitzgerald at East Wall Road, Dublin, on November 21, 2017; driving a vehicle without the consent of its owner at East Wall Road and to reckless endangerment at Sheriff Street, Dublin, on the same date. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

November 21, 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
2021-01-12 Publication

Case subjects

Dillon Harris

Defendant

Charges: spraying blood at Gda Whelan, Garda Peter Byrne and Sub Officer Fitzgerald at East Wall Road, Dublin, on November 21, 2017; driving a vehicle without the consent of its owner at East Wall Road and to reckless endangerment at Sheriff Street, Dublin, on the same date (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: She suspended the sentence for a period of five years on condition that Harris remain sober and engage in a restorative justice programme and with victim-focused work.