Abuse of gardai ‘reprehensible’

COMMENTS MADE TO GARDAI ABOUT DEATH OF DET. GARDA DONOHOE

Gardai were subjected to offensive comments about murdered Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe when they intervened in a dispute between neighbours, Dundalk Circuit Court heard last week.

Judge Gerard Griffin described as ‘reprehensible in the extreme’ comments made to officers when they attended the scene of an altercation at Willowdale, Bay Estate on September 27th 2014.

Gabriel Quilton, Castle Park, Castletown Road, along with Thomas Cooney and his partner Amanda Quilton, Rockfield Manor were being sentenced for obstructing gardai on the night of the incident.

Garda Finbar Gurhy told the court a dispute had broken out between neighbours at Willowdale, and gardai were alerted. When they arrived, officers noted ‘a number of parties were bloodied’.

The court was told there was ‘a history of poor relations’ between the neighbours.

Gardai had attempted to resolve the situation, but were subjected to comments which Gda. Gurhy said were ‘extremely offensive’ in relation to the murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe.

Judge Gerard Griffin enquired as to what the comments were, and the court was told the language heard was ‘One to the head. Bang bang. Adrian Donohoe is dead. Youse will end up just like him.’

An agreement was reached that the occupants of one of the houses would leave for the night.

The court was told that Gabriel Quilton (42) has 23 previous convictions, including convictions for violent disorder, road traffic and public order.

His defence barrister said he had ‘no recollection’ of the comments made in relation to the late Detective Garda Donohoe.

But he apologised to gardai, and had €850 in court as a gesture of remorse.

Defence for Thomas Cooney (44) said it was acknowledged that his client was present on the night and was part of the group.

But he added that none of the gardai had heard Mr. Cooney shout remarks in relation to the late Det. Garda.

‘ This incident arose from a neighbour’s dispute that got out of hand.’

He said his client had ‘difficulties with alcohol’, and admitted to criminal activity in his youth. The court heard Cooney had 27 previous convictions.

The accused offered his apologies and remorse to gardai.

Counsel for Amanda Quilton said that she also apologised for her behaviour on the night of the incident. She said she had ‘repeated a comment that had been made, and very much regrets it.’

She offered her ‘wholehearted apology’ for any offence that had been caused.

She was mother to eight children, and is the partner of Thomas Cooney.

In sentencing, Judge Griffin said the conduct of all three accused, and the comments made about the late Detective Garda Donohoe were ‘reprehensible in the extreme.’

He said that it was particularly offensive as this incident took place the year after the murder of the Detective Garda, when emotions were still running high.

Judge Griffin praised all the gardai present for the calm restraint they had shown ‘in the face of such abuse.’

He sentenced Gabriel Quilton and Thomas to six months in prison, with the final three months suspended for each.

Amanda Quilton was handed a three month suspended sentence, and entered into a bond to be of good behaviour for two years.

Judge Griffin said the only reason Ms. Quilton did not go to jail was that both parents of their children would then be imprisoned.

He ordered that the money offered in court be given to the Garda Benevolent fund.