Courts / Dublin / Report

'People who assault gardaí can expect prison. It's as simple as that': judge to persistent offender who spat in garda's eye

Date
2025-07-04

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Tallaght

County
Dublin

Summary

Jordan Mallon, 26, was sentenced by Judge William Aylmer at Tallaght District Court to eight months' imprisonment for assaulting Garda James Cullen on 14 October 2024. Mallon, who had previously pleaded guilty to five charges including violent behaviour in a garda station, criminal damage to a bus stop, and two public‑order offences, spat saliva into Cullen's eye while in custody. The judge noted the incident was highly distressing, though no lasting harm occurred. Mallon's 38‑count criminal record, with recent convictions in March and June 2025, was cited. The sentence, imposed under Section 19 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994, was reduced from nine to eight months for the early guilty plea. Four months were suspended for 12 months, conditional on full engagement with the Probation Service, participation in a Restorative Justice programme, and addressing alcohol misuse. Mallon was also ordered to enter a €300 peace bond.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'People who assault gardaí can expect prison. It's as simple as that': judge to persistent offender who spat in garda's eye. Charges or matters: assaulting Garda James Cullen, violent behaviour in a garda station, criminal damage to a bus stop and two public order charges relating to intoxication and threatening behaviour. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

October 14, 2024 Incident
June 2025 Incident
2025-07-04 Publication

Case subjects

Unnamed accused

Defendant

Charges: assaulting Garda James Cullen, violent behaviour in a garda station, criminal damage to a bus stop and two public order charges relating to intoxication and threatening behaviour (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: A judge has jailed a persistent public order offender who spat in a garda's eye, telling the defendant: "People who assault gardaí can expect prison. He suspended four months for 12 months on condition that Mallon engage fully with the Probation Service, participate in a Restorative Justice programme and address alcohol misuse, violent and criminal damage behaviours.