Woman bit garda’s hand during arrest, Cork court told

A GARDA officer had his skin ruptured when his hand was bitten by a woman he was arresting, it has been alleged at Cork District Court.

Aisling O’Riordan, aged 30, of Mount Farran, Assumption Rd, Cork, appeared at Cork District Court on charges of assaulting two gardaí and assault causing harm to a third officer. 

She also faces charges of engaging in threatening behaviour and being drunk and a danger.

Judge Mary Dorgan asked Sergeant John Kelleher to outline the allegations in the case for the judge’s determination on whether or not she would accept jurisdiction for the case.

Sgt Kelleher said: “Gardaí were called to Mount Farran to deal with a disturbance at that location on October 8, 2023.

“Gardaí found that she was extremely intoxicated and very abusive and threatening to gardaí. Gardaí formed the opinion that she was intoxicated to such an extent that she was a danger to herself and others. She was informed she was being arrested.

“While being handcuffed, she bit two gardaí on the hand who came to transport the prisoner. She spat at a third member. She was then conveyed to Gurranabraher station.”

Sgt Kelleher said that the charge of assault causing harm arose out of the skin being broken on the hand of one of the gardaí. Judge Dorgan was told there was no long-term injury.

Judge Dorgan said after hearing the outline of the allegations that she would accept jurisdiction to deal with the case at Cork District Court.

Defence solicitor Frank Buttimer asked for a copy of the prosecution statements to be sent to the defence so that a decision could be made on whether Ms O’Riordan would plead guilty or not guilty to the charges.

The case was adjourned until April 16 for that purpose.