A garda who suffered an attack "of utter savagery" just three days after he started his career was awarded more than £45,000 compensation at the High Court yesterday.
The garda also told of a second incident just months after the first when he was attacked by a prisoner reputed to have had "full-blown AIDS".
Garda Christopher Maguire (31), Bridewell Garda station, Dublin, said he was three days in the job when asked to go to Mary Street, Dublin, on June 13th, 1993, where there was a disturbance involving ten to 12 people.
He went to arrest a man who was punching a screaming woman. The man struck him, scratched at his eyes and grabbed him by the testicles. They fell on the ground.
His attacker jumped on his chest, grabbed his hair and banged his head off the kerb, Garda Maguire said. He was also kicked by other persons until he fell unconscious. He was afraid he was going to be "done in".
He subsequently suffered nightmares, headaches and nausea and a lack of confidence. A consultant psychologist said he was exhibiting symptoms indicative of serious post-traumatic stress disorder.
On October 9th, 1993, Garda Maguire said he was attacked by a prisoner at the Bridewell Garda station, Dublin. The prisoner, who was bleeding, became violent and spat in the garda's eyes and mouth.
The prisoner was reputed to have "full-blown AIDS". The garda told his counsel, Mr Pat Purcell, that he had been extremely concerned and traumatised following the incident. Subsequent blood tests had proved negative.
Awarding compensation of £45,139, Mr Justice Budd said he believed Garda Maguire had understated the effect of the injuries on him.
While the physical effect of the injuries had not had a particularly great impact, the unexpected nature of the attack in Mary Street, the utter savagery used and the garda being unable to protect himself were all factors that affected people's psyche.
Garda Maguire's head was kicked from side to side, he was grabbed severely by the testicles, he vomited, and above all there was the fear of death, the judge said. It was a horrendous episode.