THE fact that a Garda lost consciousness following an alleged punch to the face was a major cause of concern when it came to deciding jurisdiction, a Judge told Galway District Court.
Judge Fiona Lydon was told at the Court on Monday that the Gardaí had being dealing with a public order incident when, it is alleged, a male intervened and punched a member in the face with a closed fist.
Before the Court was John Kilmartin (30 ) Aggard, Craughwell, charged with assault causing harm to Garda Padraic Barrett at Cross Street on September 21, 2025. He is also accused of public drunkenness and other public order offences.
Garda Sgt Damien Prendergast told an earlier Court that he had a black and white photograph of the injury sustained by Garda Barrett but would need to provide more complete medical evidence before the Court could decide on jurisdiction.
At Monday’s sitting, Garda Barrett told Judge Lydon that he had no residual injuries as a result of the assault. He had lost consciousness for some seconds and he recovered from his injuries within a week.
The Judge decided that she would accept jurisdiction and the case could be heard in the District Court. Matters were adjourned until January 11.
