A man spat blood at a garda, Dundalk court heard

A man spat blood at a garda who had arrived at his home to arrest him as part of an incest investigation, Dundalk District Court heard last week.

Inspector John Boyle outlined to Judge Eirinn McKiernan how the now 51 year old had been informed by gardaí who arrived at his home on September 23rd 2016, that he was going to be arrested and shortly afterwards he became agitated and "kicked off".

He said that two gardai were trying to calm him down and during a struggle the defendant sustained an injury to his face and it was alleged that he spat blood into the face of one of the officers.

Insp Boyle said that while the charge was assault, there was no physical injury suffered by the garda.

Det. Sgt. Karen McDonnell outlined how the defendant had eight previous convictions, the most recent being a conviction in January at Dundalk Circuit Court for incest for which he received a 10 year sentence with the final year suspended.

The others included sexual offences, larceny and burglary.

The defence solicitor said his client does not accept that he spat at the garda and claimed it was blood that came from his leg.

Judge McKiernan imposed a four month sentence.