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Criminal who spat in garda's face after becoming abusive in hospital avoids jail

Summary

Dylan Brady, 39, of Ballybrack, pleaded guilty at Dún Laoghaire District Court to assaulting a garda, obstructing a garda, threatening and abusive behaviour, failing to comply with a garda direction, and violent disorderly behaviour. The court heard that Brady, who has 133 previous convictions, became abusive towards staff at St Vincent's University Hospital A&E on November 3, 2024. After refusing a direction to leave, he was arrested and taken to Donnybrook Garda Station. There, he allegedly continued to be abusive, slammed doors, and spat in the face of Garda Lee O'Donoghue while attempting to grab him. Defence solicitor Andrew Vallely stated that Brady suffers from schizophrenia and psychosis and was not medically compliant at the time, noting he is now in residential treatment at Coolmine Lodge. Judge Anne Watkin described the station behaviour as "pretty serious" but decided to deal with the matter under the Probation Act given the guilty plea and treatment progress. Brady was placed on a 12-month probation bond on his own bond of €500, with an independent surety of €500. Conditions include notifying gardaí if he leaves Coolmine Lodge, remaining off alcohol and illegal drugs, engaging with the Probation Service and treatment providers, taking prescribed medication, and completing residential treatment. Judge Watkin warned Brady he "will be jailed" if he commits any further offences.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Criminal who spat in garda's face after becoming abusive in hospital avoids jail. Charges or matters: assaulting a garda, obstructing a garda, threatening and abusive behaviour, failing to comply with a garda direction and violent disorderly behaviour. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• November 3, 2024 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2026-04-29 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence Violent Crime

Read the original CNI report