This article is from page 12 of the 2008-02-26 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 12 JPG
A NEWMARKET-ON-FERGUS man, who admitted assaulting a garda, has been handed a suspended jail term.
Adam Mulqueen (25), of Kilna- soolagh Park, Newmarket-on -Fer- gus pleaded guilty to assaulting Garda Cathal Nolan and to resisting arrest outside the library on October 31, 2007.
Garda Nolan told Ennis District Court that as gardai were in the process of arresting two people, the
accused arrived with a can of Bulm- ers in his hand.
“When he saw that his younger brother was one of those being ar- rested, he became very agitated,” Ger MN e) Ei er- bee
“I became concerned for my col- league’s safety. I thought that he (the accused) would throw the can at him so I put out my hand to keep him back.”
Gda Nolan said there was a scuffle between himself and Mulqueen as he tried to restrain him. The pair fell to the ground and Gda Nolan injured
his elbow.
The court was told Mulqueen then calmed down but soon afterwards, Gda Nolan again became concerned for his colleague’s safety. At this point, Gda Nolan attempted to arrest Mulqueen. The pair again fell to the ground, as the garda tried to hand- LUND ME WatomrLerel UEorOn
Mulqueen lashed out and struck Gda Nolan on the cheek with the ort
The garda sustained a cut to his cheek which later required three stitches and was off work for over
two weeks as a result.
Defending solicitor Daragh Hassett suggested to Gda Nolan that “things were a bit frantic on the night with bonfires out of control”. Mr Has- sett suggested that the garda was “dismissive” of his client and that at first Mr Mulqueen was not agitated but was trying to talk to the gardai. Garda Nolan said the accused was “drunk and very aggressive”.
Judge Aeneas McCarthy imposed a four month sentence for the assault charge, suspended on condition he be of good behaviour for two years.