A man who smashed the window of a Garda patrol van outside the GPO during the 'Love Ulster' riots in Dublin was given a three year sentence today.
Shane Hickey (27) of The View, Gleann na Rí, Tower, Blarney, Co Cork pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to violent disorder in O'Connell Street, Dublin on February 25 th, 2006.
Detective Garda Con Houlihan told the court that two of his colleagues were stationed in a patrol van at the GPO when Hickey attacked the van with a hose and gas regulator and cracked the front window.
"Both men feared for their lives," said Det Gda Houlihan.
Hickey was later identified from video footage. A number of still photographs were televised on RTÉ's Crimelineprogramme.
Hickey had 13 previous convictions, most of them for public order offences.
Judge Des Hogan said Hickey was in possession of a potential weapon on the day and was well aware that the gardaí were trapped inside the van and had little opportunity of escaping. He suspended the last 12 months of the sentence on the condition that Hickey undergo alcohol counselling.