Courts / Dublin / Report

Suspended sentence for man who broke off-duty garda's nose and called him a "garda scumbag"

Date
2015-01-21

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Sean Hulgrain, 23, of Thornfield Square, Clondalkin, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assaulting Garda Wayne Keown at a Swedish House Mafia concert in Phoenix Park on 7 July 2012. Hulgrain struck Keown in the face, breaking his nose, after insulting him as a "garda scumbag." The assault followed a bump between Keown's group and Hulgrain's group, with Keown's friend having previously met Hulgrain in Crete. Hulgrain had 17 prior district court convictions, including a threat to kill. Judge Mary Ellen Ring imposed a suspended sentence of three years, noting Hulgrain's transformation since his release from custody in April, his participation in anger‑management and alcohol‑awareness programmes, and his cooperation with Probation Services. The sentence was suspended on the condition that he maintains peace and continues his probation work. The court also heard that Keown had tracked Hulgrain via Facebook and that Hulgrain had denied attending the gig when later arrested.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Suspended sentence for man who broke off-duty garda's nose and called him a "garda scumbag". Charges or matters: assaulting Garda Wayne Keown causing him harm on July 7, 2012. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

July 7, 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
2015-01-21 Publication

Case subjects

Sean Hulgrain

Defendant

Charges: assaulting Garda Wayne Keown causing him harm on July 7, 2012 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Judge Mary Ellen Ring suspended the sentence after hearing from Hulgrain's lawyers that he had completely transformed his life since being released from custody last April into the supervision of the Probation Services. Before passing sentence Judge Ring noted that Hulgrain has engaged with an anger management and alcohol awareness programmes and is drug and alcohol free.