A man has been jailed for 15 months for allowing his German Shepherd dog to attack a garda in Longford over seven years ago.
His wife was given 150 hours of community service for producing a slash hook in the same dispute.
In February, Edward 'Blondie' Stokes, 35, and his wife, Sharon, 38, both formerly of Ferriskill, Granard, entered 11th hour pleas just before their jury trial was set to begin at Longford Circuit Court.
Mr Stokes pleaded guilty to a charge of endangerment at Ferriskill in Granard on December 3, 2018, whereby he permitted his dog to attack Garda Inspector Tom Quinn, who was at that time a sergeant connected to Granard Garda Station.
His wife, Sharon, pleaded guilty to the production of a slash hook during the same dispute.
Those pleas were entered on a full facts basis, with charges of production of a slash hook and criminal damage to the ignition key of a Ford Transit taken into consideration for Mr Stokes. A nolle prosequi was entered for a charge of endangerment against Mrs Stokes.
The incident, which involved the discharge of an official Garda firearm, made national headlines in 2018 and coincided with the circulation of a video, which appeared to show the sergeant being grabbed by his neck tie and pulled, presumably by the dog.
Judge Kenneth Connolly said this video, taken by Ms Stokes, was distorted and self-serving on her part.
It was previously reported that the dog was shot, but the Garda sergeant was cleared of any wrongdoing after a lengthy investigation by the Garda Ombudsman. The judge noted how Inspector Quinn said false statements made to Gsoc had a big impact on his career procession, delaying his promotion to inspector for seven and a half months.
The judge said Mrs Stokes gave an incorrect account of the incident to Gsoc.
The sentencing of Edward and Sharon Stokes took place today in Longford Circuit Court.
Judge Connolly said Inspector Quinn was at the scene to assist with the recovery of a van, on behalf of a customer of Mr Stokes.
He said Mr Stokes then became enraged and commanded his wife to bring a slash hook to fend off the customer.
The judge said the slash hook was later recovered and was a 'menacing and dangerous looking item'.
He said Inspector Quinn felt he needed to come to the aid of the customer.
He said Mr Stokes then retrieved a dog and allowed the animal to make an attack on Inspector Quinn, who he said was in fear of his life and was in mortal danger.
He said Mr Stokes did not desist and Inspector Quinn was then obliged to shoot the dog.
He said, throughout these events, Mr Stokes encouraged his wife to make a video of these events.
He said the narrative the video proposed was self-serving and distorted.
He said there was a full investigation by Gsoc, which was very prompt and completely exonerated Inspector Quinn in 2019.
Judge Connolly says he's satisfied the false content of the Gsoc complaints was damaging to the inspector's career.
Judge Connolly said Mr Stokes had written an extensive letter of apology, in which he'd given a gold-plated commitment he won’t be involved in criminality again. The court heard he has 27 previous convictions and is currently in prison for another matter.
Judge Connolly said, in his letter of apology, he outlines the efforts he has made to rehabilitate himself and show his future intent.
The judge said he had obtained an impressive array of certificates in prison.
The judge said he had been given 15 certificates of achievement in prison, including for restorative justice, alternative to violence and word processing.
The judge gave him a prison sentence of three years and three months, but suspended the final two years.
"He has demonstrated a willingness to change," he said. "I am impressed by the certificates and testimonials and efforts to educate himself."
The sentence is consecutive to his current prison sentence, meaning it will start after his current prison sentence ends.
His wife, Sharon, was given 150 hours community service, with the judge noting she's a mother a seven young children and had a lesser role in the matter.
The judge noted how Inspector Quinn said he had no desire for her to go to prison, as a mother of seven young children.
