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Jury deliberating in trial of man accused of impersonating garda and trying to get woman into car
Summary
A jury has begun deliberating the trial of Declan McGowan, a 33‑year‑old builder from Branswood, Athy, who is accused of attempting to coerce Andra Calauz into his car on the night of 18 September. McGowan pleaded not guilty to the charge of attempting to coerce Calauz, to assaulting her by kissing and hugging her, to impersonating a Garda, and to assaulting her husband Daniel Ion. Calauz testified that she was walking alone on Kimmage Road Lower at about 2.30 a.m., arguing with her husband on a video call when McGowan's car pulled up beside her. He told her he was a Garda, praised her beauty, kissed her hand, and hugged her. She claimed he urged her to get into his car. Her husband, Daniel Ion, said McGowan choked him, claimed to have a gun, and that McGowan only restrained him after Ion struck Calauz. Both Calauz and Ion denied this version of events.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Jury deliberating in trial of man accused of impersonating garda and trying to get woman into car. Charges or matters: attempting to coerce Andra Calauz on the Kimmage Road in Dublin city on the night of September 18 last year; assaulting her by kissing and hugging her, impersonating a member of An Garda Síochána and assaulting her husband Daniel Ion, causing him harm. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- September 18 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2022-03-04 Publication
Why: Mr McGowan said he never told anyone he was a garda and said this may have been a misunderstanding because of a "massive language barrier". CNI source report
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: attempting to coerce Andra Calauz on the Kimmage Road in Dublin city on the night of September 18 last year; assaulting her by kissing and hugging her, impersonating a member of An Garda Síochána and assaulting her husband Daniel Ion, causing him harm (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
Topics
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