A man who spat blood at two gardai, hitting one in the face, while being held in a station cell has been ordered to pay them €1,000 each in compensation.
At Galway District Court last Monday Alexander Haddad (31 ) with an address at Dublin Road, Tuam, pleaded guilty to being intoxicated in a public place and threatening and abusive behaviour at Central Park night club, Abbeygate Street, on April 20, 2008. He also pleaded guilty to two counts of assault at Galway Garda station that same night.
Garda Padraig Kelly told the court that at 2am gardai were called to the night club where two males had been fighting on the dance floor. Garda Kelly said that the defendant, who was intoxicated, was arrested and brought to Galway Garda station where he became aggressive and issued threats to members of gardai.
A garda later requested assistance in order to check on the defendant who was banging on the doors of the cells. He was shouting verbal abuse and when the three gardai opened the doors Garda Kelly said that Haddad “sprayed blood at us”. Garda Kelly said that the blood hit his face and his clothes but that he didn’t have to go for any tests as the blood did not go near his mouth or eyes. The court then heard that Haddad has no previous convictions.
“Spitting at anyone is serious but spitting blood in this day and age is very serious,” said Judge Mary Fahy.
Defence solicitor Olivia Traynor said that her client, who is from London originally, had been involved in an assault earlier in the night and had been bleeding from the mouth as a result and had been extremely agitated. Garda Kelly agreed that Haddad did have a cut to the lip from the assault.
Ms Traynor then said that Haddad works full-time in a barber shop and had come to court with €1,300 to offer up as compensation to the gardai. “He accepts his behaviour was despicable,” she said.
Judge Fahy ordered the defendant to pay €2,000 in compensation; €1,000 to each of the two gardai that were assaulted. The €1,300 was handed into court and the case was adjourned to September 9 for the remaining balance of €700. If paid Judge Fahy said that she will impose a monetary penalty.
