Courts / Dublin / Report

No jail for man who broke garda's hand

Date
2022-01-27

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin City

County
Dublin

Summary

Lee Cunningham, aged 24, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assaulting Garda Ciaran Rogers on 13 July 2020. Cunningham, who had eight prior convictions, had been in a state of intoxication and agitation when he head‑butted a patrol van door with extreme force, prompting Rogers to open the door to stop him. Cunningham then kicked Rogers, breaking a bone in Rogers' right hand. The injury required two screws and further surgery, and Rogers was unable to work for three‑and‑a‑half months, losing about €3,500 in overtime pay. Judge Melanie Greally sentenced Cunningham to two years' imprisonment, fully suspended, with strict conditions including payment of €5,000 in compensation to Rogers. The court noted Rogers' prolonged absence from work and the high cost of his medical treatment. The case was Cunningham's first appearance before the Circuit Court.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: No jail for man who broke garda's hand. Charges or matters: assaulting Garda Ciaran Rogers causing him harm at Parnell Street, Dublin City centre, on July 13, 2020. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

July 13, 2020 Incident
2022-01-27 Publication

Case subjects

Lee Cunningham

Convicted Person

Charges: assaulting Garda Ciaran Rogers causing him harm at Parnell Street, Dublin City centre, on July 13, 2020 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Passing sentence today, Judge Melanie Greally said the offence was committed when Cunningham was in "a state of considerable intoxication and agitation". Judge Greally sentenced Cunningham to two years imprisonment but suspended the sentence in its entirety on strict conditions including that he hand over €5,000 in compensation to the injured garda to do with as he sees fit.