Young man who assaulted two gardai has addressed his mental health issues
A young man who assaulted two gardai told Carrick-on-Shannon District Court he has addressed his mental health issues and attended drug and alcohol counselling.
Brendan Lynch with addresses at 11 Sinnan, Marymount, Carrick-on-Shannon and Kilmaddaroe, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim said what happened on the night was “completely out of order” and he gave an assurance it would not happen again.
Mr Lynch entered a plea on October 22 last to assaulting Gardai McCormack and Currid on August 14, 2019. He also pleaded guilty to obstructing traffic at Drumlumman, Carrick-on-Shannon on April 27, 2020.
The court heard on that night, Wednesday, August 14, the night of the Leaving Cert results, the then 17 year old was refused entry to the Landmark Hotel nightclub and was observed by gardai being abusive and aggressive at the door.
He was approached by Garda McCormack and told him to f*** off and turned and punched him on the collar bone, shoulder area.
He was arrested and taken to the garda station where he spat into Garda Currid’s face and continued to be aggressive. He was placed into a cell and as the garda was leaving Mr Lynch lashed out with his foot and struck Garda Currid on the back of his right thigh.
Solicitor, Martin Burke, said neither garda received any injuries and there were no medical reports in court.
He said Mr Lynch is 20 years old now and lives with his mother who was present in court to support him. He said Mr Lynch explained to him that he was abusing alcohol and drugs at the time and was involved with the wrong group of people.
Mr Burke said the gardai and Mr Lynch would have had many interactions before this particular night and there would have been “a very poor relationship”.
He said Mr Lynch acknowledged he was wrong on the night and apologised.
He had a number of matters at the time dealt with under the Juvenile Liaison Programme but came before the court now as an adult. He said the probation report was “most favourable” and assessed him as being at a low risk of re-offending.
He said Mr Lynch has addressed his alcohol and drug addictions by attending counselling and he is “sober and fully clean of substances.”
He is attending an outdoor pursuits course and is “in a good place.” He said having convictions of this nature would have a big effect on him regarding travel and employment and Mr Burke asked Judge Sandra Murphy to apply the Probation Act.
Brendan Lynch told the court he has addressed his mental health issues, attended drug and alcohol counselling and kept himself busy. He said what happened was “completely out of order” and he apologised and assured the court that it happening again “is not an option.”
He said he is undertaking an outdoor pursuits course in Drumshanbo for an instructorship in canoeing, kayaking, wind surfing, etc.
Sgt John O’Reilly asked Mr Lynch if he had contacted the individual gardai to apologise and he said he couldn’t remember as it was so long ago, but he will contact them.
He said he has learned not to get intoxicated and “rise up to any situation that occurs.”
Mr Lynch has a previous conviction for no insurance.
Judge Murphy said these were “very serious incidents,” two separate assaults of two gardai doing their jobs, and were “not to be taken lightly.”
She said Mr Lynch impressed her in court and the probation report was also impressive. She adjourned the matter until July 18, 2023 to allow Mr Lynch to complete his outdoor pursuits course, with liberty to re-enter, and said she also wanted a letter from his alcohol and drug addiction counsellor in Sligo.