Courts / Carlow / Report

Disabled snooker player acquitted of assaulting Carlow gardaí

Date
2026-03-06

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Carlow Town

County
Carlow

Summary

A Carlow Circuit Criminal Court jury found Colvin O'Brien not guilty of assault charges involving two gardaí and of threatening and abusive behaviour. O'Brien had pleaded guilty to being intoxicated in a public place, and Judge Mary Morrissey placed him on a 12-month probation bond.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Disabled snooker player acquitted of assaulting Carlow gardaí. Charges or matters: assault causing harm to Sergeant Ronan Devaney, to assaulting Garda Matthew Willoughby and to threatening and abusive or insulting behaviour at John Street, Carlow Town on August 29, 2024; being intoxicated in a public place on the same date and the same place. Procedural stage: trial

When:

August 29, 2024 Incident
2026-03-06 Publication

Why: "I would imagine that is because it would be easier to hold him up," he said, before he added it would also be safer to prevent him falling out in front of the traffic. CNI source report

Case subjects

Colvin O'Brien

Defendant

Charges: assault causing harm to Sergeant Ronan Devaney, to assaulting Garda Matthew Willoughby and to threatening and abusive or insulting behaviour at John Street, Carlow Town on August 29, 2024; being intoxicated in a public place on the same date and the same place (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty