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Jail sentence for St Patrick's Day assault on gardai suspended on appeal

Summary

In a St Patrick's Day assault case, Mark Kelly (39) of Palmerstown, Dublin, had his two five‑month jail sentences for assault on Garda Linda Crennan and Garda Mark O'Neill replaced on appeal with community service and a peace bond. The District Court Appeals Court found that Kelly, under the influence, had attempted to engage in "banter" with the gardai, which was not well received, leading to a struggle in which he punched and slapped the officers. Garda Crennan suffered a cracked cheekbone and shoulder surgery, and was out of work for 18 months. Kelly pleaded not guilty to two assault counts and a threatening behaviour count; he was convicted and originally sentenced to five months for each assault and a two‑month sentence for threatening behaviour, suspended for two years.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jail sentence for St Patrick's Day assault on gardai suspended on appeal. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Convicted

When:

• March 17, 2021 Incident
• 2025-09-09 Publication

Why: Detective Garda Joseph Heaphy told the court that gardai on mobile patrol approached a man who had walked to Grovers Alley near St Stephen's Green in order to urinate on March 17, 2021. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Appeal Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report