Sligo man receives five-month suspended sentence after assaulting two gardaí
The Sligo ChampionA 33-year-old man has received a suspended sentence at Sligo District Court after assaulting two gardaí. The court heard from a letter from the defendant’s mother, which said that he had changed since the birth of his daughter.
Alexander Howes of Carrownagh, Ballintogher was charged with resisting and assaulting Garda Seamus McGowan, engaging in threatening abusive and insulting behaviour and assaulting Garda Denis Fitzgerald at The Square, Colllooney on October 12, 2024. He was also charged with being intoxicated at Carrownagh, Ballintogher on October 8, 2024.
Last Thursday, Sergeant David McDonagh told the court that on October 8, gardaí were on mobile patrol in Collooney and they found Howes who had a strong smell of liquor coming from him and his left eye was bloodshot. He was arrested for his own safety and subsequently apologised for his behaviour.
On October 12, at 6:45pm, Garda Seamus McGowan was in the Square, Collooney when he observed Howes trying to gain access to a vehicle. After approaching him, the defendant called Garda McGowan a fat b*****d and told him to f**k off. Garda McGowan directed Howes to leave the area, but he refused.
Howes then became aggressive to Garda McGowan and punched him in the chest. Garda McGowan called Garda Denis Fitzgerald to help him. Howes continued to resist arrest and had to be pepper sprayed.
Garda Fitzgerald’s account of the event was then told to court. At 6:25pm, Garda Fitzgerald saw a public order incident when Howes became aggressive. He saw the defendant throwing punches at Garda McGowan. Garda Fitzgerald attempted to restrain Howes, but he resisted and punched him in the mouth.
The court heard that Howes had one previous conviction and that he was on bail for the incident that happened in Collooney.
Ms Abigail Livingstone, solicitor (defending), told Judge Éiteáin Cunningham that her client has addressed his issues since the incidents and that he had engaged with an addiction counsellor. She added that the incidents were over a four-day period and that it was completely out of character for Howes.
Ms Livingstone said that the probation report recommended that her client be put under probation supervision, which she added that he was willing to comply with.
Judge Cunningham said that the gardaí were trying to carry out their duties and attempted to stop Howes from driving whilst in an intoxicated state. She added that Howes had to be pepper sprayed and that it was an aggressive situation.
Judge Cunningham said that it must have been very frightening situation for the gardaí involved and that they should not have been subjected to that type of behaviour. She added that the matter warranted a custodial sentence and that the probation service outlined that Howes was not suitable for community service due to his addiction issue.
Judge Cunningham said that it was an exceptionally serious matter and told Sergeant McDonagh to ask the two gardaí if they wished to make victim impact statements. She remanded Howes on continuing bail for one week to see if victim impact statements were forthcoming.
One week later, Sergeant Derek Butler informed Judge Cunningham that there was no victim impact statements from the two gardaí.
Ms Livingstone told Judge Cunningham that her client did understand the seriousness of the offences. She added that there was a letter from Howes’s mother which said that ever since her son’s daughter came into his life, he has changed.
Ms Livingstone said that her client wanted to play an active part in his daughter’s life.
Judge Cunningham said that the charges were extremely serious. She also noted that Howes had two previous convictions.
On both assault charges, Judge Cunningham sentenced Howes to five months in prison, suspended for a period of 18 months, on condition that he followed all conditions outlined on the probation report. She added that the sentences were to run concurrently and that she took into consideration all other charges.
Judge Cunningham said that she sincerely hoped that Howes had learnt his lesson and that he would avail of this opportunity.
Article funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.