‘Scandalous behaviour’ as man in the Midlands 'out of his head' assaults two gardaí and his girlfriend

A man had a garda in a headlock with his legs, during an incident in which two gardai and the man’s girlfriend were assaulted, the recent sitting of Longford District Court heard in December.

Before the court was Fabiano Moraes Freitas (25) Tully House, Eyrecourt, Galway who was charged with assault of Garda Emma Kiernan and Garda Thomas Killian at Thomond Lodge, Ballymahon on November 6, 2022.

He was also charged with assault causing harm to his girlfriend at 36 Thomond Lodge, Ballymahon. He also faced public order charges of intoxication in a public place, a breach of the peace and resisting arrest.

Garda Sergeant Enda Daly outlined to the court that on the date of the offence, gardai arrived at the scene and met with two occupants of a house at Thomond Lodge. They told gardai the defendant was drunk and had assaulted his girlfriend.

He had been drinking whiskey and had pushed his girlfriend away, causing a cut to her eye.

The defendant became “extremely aggressive” with gardai, Sgt Daly said.

The defendant struck Garda Kiernan in the eye.

During a struggle, the defendant had Garda Killian in a headlock, gripped by his legs.

Gardai eventually managed to restrain and arrest the defendant, before bringing him to the garda station.

Defence solicitor John Quinn said the defendant had written an apology for his violence.

It was “scandalous behaviour” Mr Quinn admitted.

“He has learned that he and whiskey do not agree,” Mr Quinn said. “He was basically out of his head.”

However, the defendant did not mean any ill will to anyone, even if his action had not shown this, Mr Quinn said.

The defendant had €600 in court for compensation for the injured parties.

The girlfriend of the defendant is supporting him, even though she was one of the victims. “She is here to support him,” Mr Quinn said.

The defendant works in Kepak in Ballymahon, Mr Quinn said.

Sgt Daly confirmed to Judge Bernadette Owens that there had been no incidents since the events before the court.

Judge Owens said the defendant gets credit for his guilty pleas and the letter of apology before the court. She also took into account the compensation paid to the three injured parties.

Judge Owens convicted the defendant of the assault charge on Garda Killian and imposed a fine of €250. The other charges were dismissed under the Probation Act.