Advertisement
News

Longford man jailed for Garda assault

May 23, 2022 08:13 By Shannonside News
Longford man jailed for Garda assault
Share this article

The man was sentenced at Longford Circuit Court.

A Longford man has been jailed after pleading guilty to assaulting a Garda two years ago.

Jonathan Wykes, of Lisnanagh,  Edgeworthstown assaulted Garda Brian Carroll after he and his colleague arrested the accused's brother in law.

Longford Circuit Court heard that Garda Carroll and Sgt David Bunn were on patrol and stopped a young man at Lisnanagh at around 9pm on the 24th of April 2020.

Advertisement

Following a chase on foot, Garda Carroll detained the young man at the side of the road before members of his family were alerted to the incident and confronted the Gardai.

A stand off ensued between the Gardai and the family and Mr Wykes was at the front of the  group shouting at the Gardai.

The court heard the accused struck Garda Carroll on his right arm, causing a significant bruise and resulting in the Garda dropping his phone, which he was using to call for back up.

Advertisement

The phone was subsequently stood upon and smashed by 3rd parties at the scene.

The court heard that  a claim that Mr Wykes told Garda Carroll that he knew where he lived and he wouldput him in a hole and kill him but this was disputed by the accused claiming he had never met Garda Carroll before and did not know where he lived.

Mr Wykes told Gardai in interview that he was at the scene to save his brother-in-law from a perceived enemy and did not realise it was gardai as he did not see a Garda car or uniforms  and was in protection modeat the time.

Advertisement

The court heard the officers were in plain clothes but both were wearing Garda issued stab proof vests with Garda written at the front and rear.

Garda Garroll's victim impact statement outlined he felt anxious following the incident  and was fearful of the threats made and he had changed his route home for fear of being followed.

He claimed that he was still nervous or anxious in large group situations and was especially upset at a video clip of the incident being shared on social media.

Advertisement

Sgt Bunns Victim Impact Statement also outlined that the feeling of isolation and fear he experienced on the night will never leave him and he was afraid he would be left on the side of the road that night .

Mr Wykes, who is a  married-father-of two, apologised in direct evidence and claimed that he wanted his children to grow up knowing that what he had done was wrong and he was sorry to Garda Carroll for the harm and stress caused to him.  He also apologised to Sgt Bunn and said he was truly sorry for everything

A probation report heard Mr Wykes was at high risk of re-offending due to where he was living and he outlined that he was looking for alternative accommodation, but the rental crisis was making it difficult to do so.

Advertisement

Judge Keenan Johnson said attacks on Gardai was behaviour that would not be tolerated and the victim impact statements outlined the incident had a profound negative impact on both gardai.

He sentenced Mr Wykes to two years in jail, with the final year suspended for a period of three years on a number of conditions

He also ordered that all videos of the incident be removed from social media

Tags used in this article
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement

Shannonside Newsletter

Sign up now to keep up to date with the latest news.

Processing your request...

You are subscribed now! please check your email to confirm your subscription.

Copyright © 2024 Shannonside FM. Developed by Square1 and Powered by PublisherPlus