Courts / Dublin / Report

Being spat at 'degrading and deeply disrespectful', garda tells court

Date
2025-07-28

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Tallaght

County
Dublin

Summary

During an arrest on July 30 2022 in Tallaght, 46‑year‑old Jason Osbourne spat in the face of Garda Joe Glennon and obstructed Garda Peter Collins. Osbourne was placed in the back of a patrol car, removed his seatbelt, and spat on Glennon's forehead. He was later restrained, handcuffed, and moved to a second vehicle where he attempted to spit again. Glennon described the act as "degrading, upsetting and deeply disrespectful." Osbourne pleaded guilty to assault under Section 2 of the Non‑Fatal Offences Against the Person Act and obstruction under Section 19 of the Public Order Act. The court, considering Glennon's victim impact statement, Osbourne's early guilty plea, apology, and engagement with probation services, sentenced him to 120 hours of community service in lieu of a five‑month custodial term, subject to a suitability report. He will return on September 26 for final sentencing, where a fine will also be imposed.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Being spat at 'degrading and deeply disrespectful', garda tells court. Charges or matters: assaulting Garda Joe Glennon by spitting in his face and obstructing Garda Peter Collins during an incident in Tallaght on July 30, 2022. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

July 30, 2022 Incident
July 30 Incident
September 26 Hearing Or Sentence
2025-07-28 Publication

Case subjects

Jason Osbourne

Defendant

Charges: assaulting Garda Joe Glennon by spitting in his face and obstructing Garda Peter Collins during an incident in Tallaght on July 30, 2022 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: She ordered that Mr Osbourne complete 120 hours of community service in lieu of a five-month custodial sentence, subject to a suitability report.