A Bonniconlon man was before Ballina District Court on Tuesday where Judge Mary Devins said that she found the facts had been proven in relation to two assaults on gardaí. The judge recorded a conviction in relation to one of the assaults and dealt with the other assault by applying the Probation Act if the 20-year-old contributed to the Garda Benevolent Fund.
At a previous court sitting it was outlined that gardaí were called by Michael Jordan to his family home on November 24 2012 as there was a disturbance in the home involving his son, Darren Jordan, Carra, Bonniconlon, Ballina. Garda Aidan Brennan and Garda Peter Kearins arrived at the house at 8.15pm where they were met by Michael Jordon who told them that his son had calmed down. The gardaí entered the house to speak to Darren Jordan. Garda Kearins told the court that the defendant emerged from a room, carrying his two-year-old son in his arms, and with his fist clenched Jordan punched the garda in his nose with his right hand. Garda Kearins said that Jordan put down the child after the assault and Garda Brennan restrained him. Garda Kearins said he observed Jordon bite Garda Brennan on the arm.
Garda Brennan told the court that he saw Darren Jordan punch Garda Kearins, while Jordan had his son in his left arm. Garda Brennan said that he restrained Jordan by holding his hands out in front of him and Jordon bit him on the right hand, at the knuckle.
Both gardaí said that Jordan tried to resist being restrained and they held him on the floor and tried to prevent him from kicking out. The gardaí called for assistance and another garda came to the scene. The defendant was arrested at 8.30pm.
The defendant told the court that he did bite Garda Kearins as he thought the garda was going to choke him when he was being restrained. He said that he did not have the child in his arms and denied punching Garda Brennan.
Judge Devins adjourned the case for a decision to this week’s court sitting. The defendant, who attends Youthreach, has two previous convictions.
Judge Devins said that she would convict for the section two assault on Garda Brennan. The judge said that the facts were proven as regards the section 2 assault on Garda Kearins, however the judge said she would apply the Probation Act if the defendant pay €200 to the Garda Benevolent Fund. As for the assault on Garda Brennan Jordan was remanded on continuing bail to May 28 for a probation report.
