Courts / Kildare / Report

Garda tells trial he was punched by murder accused

Date
2025-03-26

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Newbridge

County
Kildare

Summary

In a murder trial, Garda Brendan O'Donnell testified that on 29 April 2020 he was punched by Brian Ibe, 23, after detectives attempted to take fingerprints and DNA samples. O'Donnell, who was in charge at Newbridge Garda Station, said Ibe tried to leave the interview room and, when restrained, struck him just below the left eye and on the side of the nose, causing immediate pain, bleeding and bruising. O'Donnell was taken to Naas Hospital, suffered no fractures, and later reported headaches and pain that have since healed. Ibe, who has no fixed abode, pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder of 65‑year‑old Peter Kennedy and to assaulting O'Donnell. The trial, before Justice Melanie Greally and a jury, continues tomorrow. The prosecution maintains that Ibe was not within the special insanity or diminished responsibility criteria. The case remains at the evidence‑gathering stage.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Garda tells trial he was punched by murder accused. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

April 29, 2020 Incident
May 12, 2020 Incident
April 28 Incident
September 2019 Other
April 28, 2020 Incident
Christmas 2019 Other
2025-03-26 Publication

Why: Gda O'Donnell said: "We actually tried to restrain him in order to place him in the cell. CNI source report

Case subjects

Brian Ibe

Accused

Plea: Not guilty

Outcome: Gda O'Donnell today told prosecution senior counsel Paul Carroll that at 9.20pm, after Mr Ibe's first interview, he told the accused that his period of detention had been extended by six hours.