A 20-year-old Oranmore who assaulted two gardai during Race Week as they attempted to un-cuff him was given a chance to pay compensation in order to receive the benefit of the Probation Act.
Chris Egan, with an address at Lydican, Carnmore, Oranmore, appeared at Galway District Court on Monday charged with assaulting Garda Conor Barrett and Garda James O’Brien while in the custody area of Galway Garda Station on July 27, 2010.
Inspector Brendan Carroll told the court that the defendant had been arrested for an offence committed earlier and that he became increasingly aggressive when being placed into the cell area at the station at around 2.35am. The inspector said that when one handcuff was taken off Egan punched Garda Barrett in the stomach and as the other handcuff was being removed Egan lashed out again, this time striking Garda O’Brien with his feet.
Defence solicitor Sarah O’Dowd explained that it had been Race Week and her client had been arrested at a city centre pub at 1.55am. She said that Egan, who has no previous convictions, had not been in trouble before or since the incident and is currently living at home.
Describing the assaults as “totally inappropriate” Judge Mary Fahy gave Egan a life-line by offering him the opportunity to pay compensation. Noting that €500 in compensation was handed into court Judge Fahy ordered Egan to pay a further €300 by the time the matter comes back before the court on October 3 next. It is expected that, if full compensation is paid by that date, Egan will receive the benefit of the Probation Act.
