Courts / Dublin / Report

On-bail offender who punched off-duty garda avoids jail

Summary

Anthony Ainscough, an on-bail offender, was given a fully suspended sentence after punching an off-duty garda in a Dublin nightclub. Ainscough pleaded guilty to assault causing harm, which occurred during a confrontation where he believed the garda had spoken to his girlfriend. The incident was captured on CCTV, and the garda required medical treatment for a broken nose and tooth. Ainscough, who has previous convictions and was on bail at the time, was intoxicated and did not know the garda was off-duty. His defense highlighted his remorse, noting he had €10,000 in court as a token of apology and would provide additional funds. The court acknowledged his guilty plea and suspended the sentence, emphasizing the need for him to address his behavior.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: On-bail offender who punched off-duty garda avoids jail. Charges or matters: one count of assault causing harm at a nightclub in the Dublin 2 area on December 11, 2022. Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial

When:

• December 11, 2022 Incident
• Christmas Other
• 2025-11-21 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Charge Or Pretrial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report