Man threw punches at Gardai when trying to stop arrest of another man

A Cranford man who threw multiple punches at Gardai when he tried to intervene in the arrest of another male has been fined in court.

On December 27, 2018 at 2.59am, Gardai were dealing with a large public order incident outside a nightclub in Downings.

A man was resisting arrest when Charles O’Donnell approached Gardai ‘very aggressively’.

Inspector Seamus McGonigle told Falcarragh District Court that O’Donnell attempted to stop an arrest being made.

“He became enraged and was throwing multiple punches,” Inspector McGonigle said.

The court heard how O’Donnell, a 31-year-old of Drum, Cranford, was restrained by several members of the public.

As he attempted to wrestle free, he continued to swing punches and kicks in the direction of Gardai.

The following day, Garda Keating called to O’Donnell’s home. The accused’s father told the Garda that his son had left to return to the UK. A fixed charge penalty notice (FCPN) was issued, but was not paid.

Solicitor for O’Donnell, Mr Frank Dorrian, told the court that his client was an ‘otherwise hardworking and industrious man’.

“He was home from the UK for Christmas and he had far too much to drink,” Mr Dorrian said. “He thought that his intervention would assist a situation and it unravelled.

“He had the good sense to call and apologise to the Gardai. He did all that he could to address the matter.”

Judge Éiteáin Cunningham said it was disappointing that Gardai were subjected to this kind of behavior.

For using or engaging in any threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace or being reckless as to whether a breach of the peace may be occasioned, O’Donnell was convicted and fined €300.