Courts / Dublin / Report

No jail for sulky driver who attacked garda

Date
2019-06-25

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Derek Heavey, aged 32, of Moeran Road, Walkinstown, Dublin, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm and criminal damage following an incident on Ballyfermot Road on May 23, 2018. An off-duty garda sounded his horn at Heavey, who was operating a horse-drawn sulky on the wrong side of the road. Heavey subsequently attacked the garda, striking him through the car window, damaging the vehicle's wing mirror, and punching him in the face, resulting in a chipped tooth. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a two-year custodial sentence, fully suspended on condition Heavey maintain the peace and good behaviour for two years. The court ordered Heavey to pay €1,000 in compensation immediately and raise a further €1,000 within twelve months. The judge characterised the incident as "a gross act of petulance.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: No jail for sulky driver who attacked garda. Charges or matters: assault causing harm and criminal damage at Ballyfermot Road, Ballyfermot, on May 23, 2018. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

May 23, 2018 Incident
2019-06-25 Publication

Case subjects

Derek Heavey

Convicted Person

Charges: assault causing harm and criminal damage at Ballyfermot Road, Ballyfermot, on May 23, 2018 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Judge Martin Nolan sentenced Heavey to two years imprisonment, but suspended the entirety of the sentence on condition he keep the peace and be of good behaviour for two years.