Gardaí assault case adjourned
The trial of four gardaí accused of beating a young Dublin man with batons after breaking into his home has been adjourned until next Tuesday.
Mr Tom O’Connell SC, prosecuting, made an application to adjourn the trial, saying an “important” matter had arisen in the case and he needed to received further instructions from the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Judge Desmond Hogan acceded to the application, told the jury members they should not read anything into it and sent them home for the long weekend.
Gardaí Sean O’Leary, Eoin Murtagh, Alan Conlon and Claire Delaney have pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to forcing entry to a Basin Street Upper premises, entering as trespassers and assaulting Mr Owen Gaffney (aged 21), causing him harm on February 17, 2008.
Garda Murtagh, garda Conlon and garda Delaney have also pleaded not guilty to the false imprisonment of Fidelma Gaffney on the same occasion.
Gardaí O’Leary, Murtagh and Delaney are based in Kilmainham garda station and garda Conlon is based at Kevin St garda station.
Mr Gaffney will resume his cross-examination on Tuesday before Judge Hogan and a jury of six men and six women.
