Waterford man receives suspended sentence for biting a garda
The man, in his 20s, was arrested by officers on suspicion of stalking
A Kilmacthomas man who bit a garda while being transported to hospital has been given an eight-month prison suspended sentence at Waterford District Court.
Joseph McGoey (30) 8 Port Na Machan, Kilmacthomas appeared before Judge Kevin Staunton charged with assault.
The court heard that on December 16, 2022, gardaí were transporting the defendant to University Hospital Waterford when he bit one of the members on the hand.
The incident resulted in a small puncture wound on the garda’s finger.
Acting for the defendant, solicitor Ken Cunningham said his client “sincerely apologises” for his actions and is embarrassed.
He said he was dealing with addiction problems at the time and had no memory of the incident.
The defendant also acknowledged that the garda should not have been subjected to an assault.
Mr Cunningham said that his client was himself recently subjected to a very serious assault and was currently trying to get on with his life.
Judge Staunton said he noted that the defendant was the victim of a serious assault and said: "He has my sympathy for that.”
However, the Judge said his behaviour at the time of this incident was “a dreadful thing.”
“A guard was bitten, and it broke the skin. We know what stress that causes about what the outcome may or may not be,” said Judge Staunton.
The Judge said, thankfully, in this case, there was no serious outcome for the garda, but it was still a serious assault.
He sentenced the defendant to eight months in prison.
Mr Cunningham asked Judge Staunton to suspend the sentence given how long ago the incident happened.
Judge Staunton agreed and suspended the sentence for two years.
