Garda angered by assault after no assistance available

A Donegal-based Garda has told of his anger after being assaulted by a man when he had to respond to an incident on his own.

Garda Darren Norman was set upon by Liam Ward at Lidl, Bundoran on January 23, 2023.

The terrifying incident saw father-of-two Garda Norman attacked by Ward after he responded to reports of a man being drunk with a bag full of alcohol in the store.

Garda Norman arrived alone and met security staff who pointed out Ward, of Westend, Bundoran who was known to him.

Ward told Garda Norman “I’m sick of you” before kicking him in the chest and then getting him in a headlock squeezing his neck saying: "Let's see how you like it."

Garda Norman was attacked by Ward in a separate incident weeks beforehand and had to take almost three months off work to recover. Ward, who has 95 previous convictions, was before Donegal Circuit Court.

A victim impact statement was read by State Solicitor Mr Kieran Dillon on behalf of Garda Norman, who recalled suffering an injury when Ward punched him twice at Ballyshannon Garda Station in December 2022.

On the second occasion, Garda Norman, the only member attached to a unit at Bundoran Garda Station, said he had ‘no option’ but to go to the scene on his own in case Ward committed a crime.

“He hated that it was me who was dealing with him,” Garda Normal said. “He is a well built and strong man and even though I had dealt with him before and he assaulted me, it surprised me greatly when I could see his demeanour change.

“He gripped me in a headlock and squeezed my neck very hard.”

Garda Norman told how he felt it was ‘strange’ that a security guard was the only person who provided assistance.  Garda Norman managed to get to his pepper spray and used it on his attacker before Ward finally released his grasp and he was conveyed to Ballyshannon Garda Station.

Garda Norman said: “I got angry that I was assaulted while at work, angry that I was on my own and embarrassed that I was in a situation where he was in complete control.

“No one should go to work and suffer an assault, no matter what the situation.”

Garda Normal said the psychological effect of the incident was worse than the injuries sustained and he has been advised to remain on medication.

On December 29, 2022, Garda Norman was also assaulted by Ward.

It followed a report that a man was drunk at the Chasin' Bull Pub on Main Street in Bundoran and that he was threatening and abusing staff and customers.

Sergeant Stewart Doyle told the court that Gardai went to investigate and arrested Ward after two males in the bar said he had assaulted them. Ward was arrested and taken to Ballyshannon Garda Station.

While being processed at the station, Gardai went to search him but he punched Garda Norman in the face and lip causing him swelling and cuts. The court heard how Garda Norman was off duty for a number of weeks as a result of the assaults as he suffered both an injured back and also facial damage.

Judge John Aylmer was given a hand-written letter on behalf of Ward, who pleaded guilty to two assaults on Garda Norman.

Ward previously took to the witness stand and said he was very apologetic. Ward told the court that he wants to get his life back on track, to get a HGV (heavy goods driving license), to stay off alcohol and to settle down with his new partner in Galway.

Ward has been in custody since May and Judge Aylmer said it is ‘obvious’ that he is ‘doing well’ in prison.

Barrister for the accused, Mr Colm Smyth, SC, with Mr Peter Nolan, BL, said his client had effectively been homeless and was living in a hostel at the time and was not getting treatment.

He said his client has drunk at least one bottle of vodka, that he was a very different man today when he was sober and also had a new partner.

"I think the prison officers would go as far as to say that if prison was full of Liams Wards the system would be a lot easier to manage," said Mr Smyth. "There is no doubt that Liam Ward sober is an entirely different species than Liam Ward under the influence.”

Pleading with Judge Aylmer, Mr Smyth said his client has been in custody since last May and has now shown firm intentions to mend his ways.

Judge Aylmer said the fact that the assaults were on a member of An Garda Síochána was an aggravating feature of the incident.

“Gardai perform a very difficult and dangerous job and they need the protection of the law,” Judge Aylmer said. “They need to know that when people assault them that these people will be dealt with in a harsh way.”

Between the two incidents, Judge Aylmer said his starting point for sentencing was a total of 28 months imprisonment, which would have been three-and-a-half years without the mitigation of Ward’s remorse, his behaviour in prison and the support of his new partner, who was present in court. Judge Aylmer said Ward also received credit for his cooperation and his plea of guilty.

Ward committed these offences during a period when he was serving a suspended sentence, which could now be triggered.

Judge Aylmer informed Ward that he was holding his hand as regards the sentence to be handed down. He asked for a probation report to be prepared on Ward.

“I want to see what the Probation Service makes of him and his prospects,” Judge Aylmer said, noting that there was ‘no question’ of all of the sentence being suspended.

Ward was remanded in custody to appear again at the March sitting of Donegal Circuit Court.