Courts / Armagh / Report

'No one cares': garda lost love of job, questioned career after attack by violent offender

Date
2023-07-18
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
NEWRY
County
Armagh

Summary

Garda Emma Brady, who was assaulted while trying to arrest Aiden McKevitt, a 40‑year‑old with 168 prior convictions, said the attack has left her with physical injuries and a loss of enthusiasm for her job. Brady suffered a fractured elbow and wrist, soft‑tissue injuries to her shoulder, neck and chest, a finger injury and a broken tooth. She described ongoing sleep difficulties, fear of further assault and a sense that her life has changed forever. Brady's victim impact statement, read during McKevitt's sentencing, highlighted her emotional distress and the impact on her sporting ambitions. McKevitt pleaded guilty to assaulting a peace officer and obstruction of a peace officer on 9 November 2022 and was sentenced to three years' imprisonment, a sentence back‑dated to his initial custody in February. The court noted Brady's injuries and the effect on her career. The judge imposed a headline sentence of four years, reduced to three years after mitigating factors.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'No one cares': garda lost love of job, questioned career after attack by violent offender. Charges or matters: assaulting a peace officer during the execution of their duties and obstruction of a peace officer at Dominic Street Lower on November 9, 2022. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Why: She added that she wondered why she would even bother working as a garda because of the "risk of being assaulted and no one cares". CNI source report

Case subjects

Aiden McKevitt

Defendant

Charges: assaulting a peace officer during the execution of their duties and obstruction of a peace officer at Dominic Street Lower on November 9, 2022 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: He was today jailed for three years. She then imposed a sentence of three years which was backdated to when McKevitt first went into custody in February this year.

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Address Area
  • Dominic Street
Residence

Topics

Stage Sentence Violent Crime

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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