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Tent-dwelling 'free man of the land' avoids jail for striking out at gardai
Summary
Rodin Van Hooff, 43, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to two counts of intentionally or recklessly assaulting two gardai at Lynwood, Ballinteer, Co Dublin, on March 2, 2023. The court heard that Van Hooff, who was living in a tent at the time, refused to leave the area when directed by officers and swung at them, striking one on the back of the head. He was restrained with pepper spray and arrested. Van Hooff's bail was revoked in July last year, resulting in two months spent in custody. Judge Martin Nolan noted that the officers were performing their duty and sustained no injuries. Acknowledging Van Hooff's "unusual lifestyle and philosophy of life," the Judge stated that such views are permissible provided no crime is committed. Judge Nolan initially intended to impose a suspended sentence of three months but reduced this to a suspended one-month sentence to account for the time Van Hooff had already spent in custody. The matter was finalised with this suspended sentence.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Tent-dwelling 'free man of the land' avoids jail for striking out at gardai. Charges or matters: two counts of intentionally or recklessly assaulting two gardai at Lynwood, Ballinteer, Co Dublin on March 2, 2023. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- March 2, 2023 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2024-02-21 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: two counts of intentionally or recklessly assaulting two gardai at Lynwood, Ballinteer, Co Dublin on March 2, 2023 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Nolan said he initially intended to impose a suspended sentence of three months, but reduced it to a suspended one-month sentence to take account of the time Van Hooff already spent in custody.
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