Courts / Dublin / Report

Dublin man who headbutted garda while resisting arrest is sentenced to 2.5 years

Summary

David Murphy, 25, of Wheatfield Avenue, Clondalkin, was sentenced by Judge Martin Nolan at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to two and a half years' imprisonment for assaulting Garda Dara Kelly during a public order incident on 1 March 2014 in Rathfarnham. Murphy pleaded guilty to the offence and had a history of violent conduct, including four prior convictions for assaulting gardaí and 30 other offences. The assault caused soft‑tissue damage to Kelly's jaw, requiring treatment at Tallaght Hospital, restricted jaw movement for four days, and a ten‑day absence from work. The judge described Murphy's behaviour as disgraceful, noting he was not only drunk but also violent and aggressive. The sentence included a suspended 18‑month period, to be enforced on strict conditions. The court did not read the victim impact report.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Dublin man who headbutted garda while resisting arrest is sentenced to 2.5 years. Charges or matters: assaulting Garda Dara Kelly during the course of his duties in Rathfarnham on March 1, 2014. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• March 1, 2014 Incident
• 2015-04-13 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Public Order Stage Sentence Violent Crime

Related court reports

• Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
• Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
• Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
• 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
• Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
• 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'

Read the original CNI report