A man who, during a domestic incident, locked his family and a garda inside a house, was before Ballina District Court this week for the obstruction of a peace officer.
A 999 call was made to Garda Aidan Brennan on January 3 2010 at 7.10pm alleging that James Donnelly, 33 Riverside Grange, Ballina, had slapped his daughter across the face.
Garda Brennan went to the scene where he heard Brennan roaring inside the house. The defendant was intoxicated and agitated when he saw the garda and told him to “get the f**k out of my house” and pushed the garda.
Donnelly refused to help the garda to investigate the allegation and when the garda entered the house, the defendant locked the front door of the house. Garda Brennan had to physically remove Donnelly from the door to unlock it. The garda was then pushed and knocked over.
Garda backup was called to the scene and the defendant was physically restrained. When arrested, Donnelly sang rebel songs making reference to the IRA. At the Garda station the defendant refused to give his details. The family of Donnelly declined to make any statements in relation to the incident.
Donnelly, who represented himself, has previous convictions. Judge Mary Devins adjourned sentencing to December 14, with liberty to re-enter at 24-hours notice.
