Tipperary man convicted for an ‘unprovoked attack’ at Thurles Garda Station

A man who “unprovoked” attacked another man at a garda station has been convicted by Thurles District Court.

George Hackett, 37, of 17 Monakeeba, was convicted of assault at Thurles Garda Station on January 6, 2023.

Gardaí told the court that they were on patrol on Mitchel Street, Thurles on the day of the incident when they saw two men shouting abuse at each other.

The gardaí asked them to stop, but when they didn’t, one guard deployed incapacity spray and both men were arrested.

At the station, gardaí took Mr Hackett to wash out his eyes while the second man waited in the custody area.

However, on his return and seeing the second man, Mr Hackett lunged at him and struck him in the head, the court heard.

Gardaí restrained the defendant and arrested him for assault.

Gardaí told the court that the assault was an “unprovoked attack” and while the victim did not have visible injuries, he was clearly in pain and had been taken by surprise.

The solicitor for the defendant JJ Fitzgerald pointed out that Mr Hackett had not been the intended target of the incapacity spray before arrest.

The guard told the court this was correct and that the wind had simply blown the spray in Mr Hackett’s direction. Mr Fitzgerald also pointed out that the victim was not in court to tell the story.

However, Judge Elizabeth MacGrath said that would only be required if the victim had been the only witness. However, the assault had taken place in front of the gardaí.

Judge MacGrath said she was convicting Mr Hackett of section two assault. However, since the defendant was not in court, the judge issued a bench warrant.