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Man guilty of impersonating garda and trying to force woman into his car
Summary
A jury convicted Declan McGowan, 33, of assaulting Andra Calauz and attempting to coerce her into his car on the night of 18 September. McGowan claimed he had pulled alongside Calauz on Kimmage Road Lower, believing she was in danger, and told her he was a Garda with a gun. He kissed and hugged her, then repeatedly urged her to get into his vehicle. Calauz said she felt frightened and pressured. Her husband, Daniel Ion, testified that McGowan choked him and threatened to call Tusla, demanding Calauz enter the car. Ion called Gardaí, who arrested McGowan. The four‑day trial ended with guilty verdicts on all four counts: attempted coercion, assault on Calauz, impersonation of a Garda, and assault on Ion. McGowan was remanded in custody until a sentencing hearing on 17 June. The judge thanked the jury for their time. The case remains at the sentencing stage. Declan McGowan pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man guilty of impersonating garda and trying to force woman into his car. Charges or matters: the attempted coercion of Ms Calauz, assaulting her, impersonating a member of An Garda Síochána and assaulting Mr Ion causing him harm. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- September 18 Hearing Or Sentence
- June 17 Adjournment
- 2022-03-07 Publication
Why: Declan McGowan (33) claimed that he had pulled his car up alongside the woman who was walking on the Kimmage Road Lower in Dublin city on the night of September 18 last year because he thought she was in danger. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: the attempted coercion of Ms Calauz, assaulting her, impersonating a member of An Garda Síochána and assaulting Mr Ion causing him harm (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: She remanded McGowan in continuing custody until June 17, when a sentence hearing will take place.; She remanded McGowan in continuing custody until June 17, when a sentence hearing will take place.
Places mentioned
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