‘It was the scariest incident ever... I feared for my life’

TWO NEW ROSS GARDAI REVEAL IN VICTIM IMPACT STATEMENTS HOW A DOMESTIC DISTURBANCE BECAME SUCH A FRIGHTENING ORDEAL

A GARDA who attended the house where a husband had assaulted his wife told a sentencing hearing that he feared for his life.

‘I can say with confidence and no exaggeration this was the scariest incident I ever attended where I genuinely feared for my life,’ said Garda Donal Doyle in a victim impact statement read to the court.

A second garda, John Scallan, who also attended the scene, stated in his victim impact statement: ‘I spoke to my wife to see if this job was worth staying in after what had happened.’

Before Judge Cormac Quinn at Wexford Circuit Criminal Court for sentencing was Arthurs Kortsakovs, of 3B The Moorings, Rosbercon, New Ross. Kortsakovs had been found guilty following a trial, to assaulting his wife Tatjuna Korsakovs at 3B The Moorings, New Ross, on October 19, 2016.

Kortsakovs was also found guilty of assaulting Garda John Scallan and Garda Donal Doyle.

Sgt Sean Fitzgerald told Prosecuting Counsel, Ms Sinead Gleeson, that the accused man had been found guilty following a trial last November.

New Ross gardai had received a report of a domestic disturbance. He told the court that the injured party, Tatjuna Korsakovs, had called to New Ross Garda Station, alleging she was the victim of domestic abuse, which included a blow to the face. She told gardai that she and her children were living in fear and that she did not want to return to the apartment where her husband was. As a result, Garda Doyle and Garda Scallan were dispatched to the apartment to retrieve some items which she needed for herself and her children.

Garda Donal Doyle said in his Victim Impact Statement: ‘On date of incident I had in excess of twelve years’ service in An Garda Siochana and had attended countless volatile incidents over those years. I can say with confidence and no exaggeration this was the scariest incident I ever attended, where I genuinely feared for my life. Garda Scallan and myself went to the dwelling so the lady could collect some clothes for herself and three children so they could be brought to safety.

‘Upon entering the apartment, myself and my colleague, were immediately confronted in the living room, threatened and intimidated with a bottle, and then the defendant tried to light a gas cylinder. We had no option but to remain in the room and to act as a human barrier for the protection of the lady and children present. The defendant was in an intoxicated state and was extremely intimidating.

‘When he came at us with a knife, Garda Scallan and I retreated from the living room, while my colleague ushered the lady and children from the house. I held the door closed with all my strength, as he tried to open it, and it seemed like an eternity. I already remember thinking to myself, ‘If I don’t hold this my wife and four children will be visiting me in the graveyeard.

‘When my colleague had the lady and children a safe distance from the apartment, I let go of the door and ran from the premises. I remember driving home that evening and being so conscious of how it could have ended so badly for me.’

Garda John Paul Scallan in his Victim Impact Statement told of having been stationed in a number of very busy stations and in Waterford City and of having attended violent incidents in the past.

He said: ‘ This incident definitely left a mark on me. When we went into the apartment all hell broke loose. I have no doubt this male would have stabbed both me and Garda Doyle if he had managed to open the door. Since the incident I have been nervous, very conscious of having a young family at home and after this I spoke with my wife to see if this job worth staying in over what had happened.’

The defendant, Arthurs Korsakovs, in evidence said he was sorry for what had happened. He said he had never been in trouble previously and worked as a long distance lorry driver. He had a lot of drink taken on the occasion as he had learned his best friend had passed away.,

Judge Quinn said he would adjourn the matter to allow the defendant benefit from an Anger Management course or a M.E.N.D. programme. He said he would remand the defendant on continuing bail to January 15 next.