A Dublin-based garda is facing prosecution accused of assaulting a man and stealing €6.25 from him during an alleged incident last year.
The trial follows an investigation by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission. A complaint was made to the commission in February and summonses were served on the garda, who appeared at Dublin District Court yesterday.
Padraig Dennehy, who is attached to Mountjoy Garda station, north inner-city Dublin, is facing two charges arising out of an alleged incident on March 3rd, 2013.
It is claimed he assaulted a named male at Parnell Square West, contrary to section 2 of the non-fatal offences Act, an offence which can, subject to conviction, carry a six-month sentence as well as a fine and is confined to the jurisdiction of the District Court.
His second charge is under section 4 of the theft and fraud offences Act for the alleged theft of €6.25 from the same complainant. On conviction, this offence can result in a fine and a possible sentence. The garda did not address the court.
Solicitor Michael Durkan, for the DPP, told Judge John O’Neill that previously an order for disclosure of the State’s evidence had been made. There had been compliance with the order and he added that the defence “would like an opportunity to consider it”. The prosecution solicitor had no issue with that, the court heard.
Solicitor Liz Hughes, defending, asked for the case to be adjourned until September.
Judge O’Neill granted the adjournment and ordered the defendant to appear again in seven weeks, directing that on the next occasion the case will be listed for the accused to tell the court how he is going to plead to the charges.