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Jail for man who spat at gardai who came to his aid in prison cell
Summary
Trevor Robinson, 34, of Navan Road, Dublin 7, was sentenced to two months in prison after pleading not guilty to two counts of assaulting Gardaí under the Non‑Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997. The offence occurred at Dundrum Garda Station shortly after 2 am on 21 February 2023, when Robinson was arrested for a public order offence and found in a custody cell in a highly distressed state, lying partially under a mattress. When Garda Fergus Holly and Garda Anthony Browne entered to ensure his safety, Robinson became combative, shouting, abusive and physically aggressive, and spat at both officers. Garda Browne reported hearing the spitting and feeling it land on his back and neck, while Garda Holly was directly spat at. Robinson's defence claimed he was extremely intoxicated and possibly affected by hallucinogenic substances, suggesting the spitting may have been accidental amid shouting and disorientation. The court rejected this defence.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Jail for man who spat at gardai who came to his aid in prison cell. Charges or matters: two counts of assaulting Gardaí, contrary to Section 2 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- February 21, 2023 Incident
- 2025-06-27 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: two counts of assaulting Gardaí, contrary to Section 2 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: Judge Fottrell said he was "satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt" on both counts and imposed a two-month prison sentence.
Places mentioned
- Dún Laoghaire District Court
- took place at Dundrum Garda Station
Topics
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