Man (22) gets five months following gardai assault

‘GUARDS must be protected,’ Judge Coughlan remarked at Drogheda court when sentencing a local Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter to five months imprisonment, after he pleaded guilty to assaulting two members of the gardaí.

Dean Hill (22), 124 Rathmullen Park, Drogheda, also admitted obstruction of a police officer during the same incident which occurred at Tredagh View on 27 August, 2016.

Garda McCabe gave evidence that in dealing with another matter he spoke to the accused who became aggressive.

Hill was intoxicated at the time, and attempted to head-butt the garda, making contact with his nose.

He then leg-swept Garda Meredith, causing her to fall to the ground. As a result, she had to undergo the concussion protocol, and received physiotherapy for her injuries.

She made a full recovery, Gda. McCabe added. Hill has nine previous convictions, all for road traffic matters.

It was stated on the defendant’s behalf that he is one of six children, and lives with his mother. He has never had contact with his father.

He has a difficulty with drink and drugs, but works as a groundsman, and has been accepted in the D.I.F.E. He intends to continue working at weekends.

Judge Coughlan said this type of behaviour is absolutely disgraceful, to attempt to head-butt a guard.

As he imposed a five-month sentence, the judge added, ‘ Put him away. The party’s over.’