Courts / Dublin / Report
Community service for man who forcibly bent garda's finger backwards
Summary
A man who injured a garda by bending his finger backwards while resisting arrest five years ago has been directed to complete 240 hours of community service. Keith Daly pleaded guilty to assaulting a peace officer and possessing cannabis for sale or supply. During the incident, Daly injured a garda's finger while resisting arrest. A total of 9.6g of cannabis, valued at €192, was also found. Daly has 55 previous convictions, including for assaulting members of An Garda Siochana and drugs offences. Judge Orla Crowe noted that Daly had made considerable progress since the incident and had turned his life around. She directed Daly to complete 240 hours of community service in lieu of a two-year prison sentence. Garda Natasha McAleese testified that Daly was agitated during the incident and attempted to evade arrest. Sgt Kenny was injured during the struggle and later treated in hospital. Daly was identified through a print found on a bag of drugs. His counsel expressed remorse and apologized to Sgt Kenny for Daly's actions.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Community service for man who forcibly bent garda's finger backwards. Charges or matters: one count of assaulting a peace officer and one count of possession of cannabis for sale or supply on January 26, 2021, at Killakee Road, Rathfarmham. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- January 26, 2021 Incident
- 2026-01-27 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: one count of assaulting a peace officer and one count of possession of cannabis for sale or supply on January 26, 2021, at Killakee Road, Rathfarmham (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: By Eimear Dodd A man who injured a garda by bending his finger backwards while resisting arrest five years ago has been directed to complete 240 hours of community service. She noted that the Probation Service had assessed Daly as suitable for community service unusually, without a request from the court.
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