Offaly man given suspended sentence for assaulting Garda also urinated in patrol car

A MAN with an address in Edenderry was given a suspended prison sentence for assaulting a Garda during last week's sitting of Tullamore District Court.

Leszek Amernik (43), Ballybrittan, Edenderry, was charged with assaulting Garda Dermot McDermott causing him harm at Grogan, Ballycumber on February 1 last.

Last July Mr Amernik had also appeared in court charged with defecating and urinating in a Garda car, on February 1 last at Grogan, Ballycumber.

He was charged with damaging property by removing the rubber door seal of a passenger rear door of a Garda car.

He was charged with defecating and urinating on the rear passenger seat and spitting inside the car.

Sergeant Brendan Kearns told the court that Mr Amernik had 14 previous convictions including assault, public order and resisting arrest.

During the July sitting the defending solicitor Aisling Maloney said her client was willing to pay monetary compensation.

Judge Andrew Cody ordered the defendant to pay €5,000 in compensation during the December 10 court sitting and he might look favourably on the matter.

During last week's court the solicitor said Mr Amernik had the €5,000 in court. Ms Maloney said a period in prison had focussed her client's mind.

Judge Cody convicted and sentenced to six months imprisonment, suspending the sentence for three years.

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