Jail for biting Garda and threatening to 'bite off' officer's jaw

Gordon Deegan

A 33-year-old man told gardaí "F**k off or I will bite your f**king jaw off" before biting an Ennis-based garda on the hand.

At Ennis Circuit Court, Judge Francis Comerford has imposed an 18-month prison term with the last 14 months suspended on Jeffrey Kelly for the bite assault on Garda Michael O’Neill on March 5th this year on Ennis's Kilrush Rd.

A native of Limerick and formerly of Laurel Lodge, Ennis, Mr Kelly pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to Garda O’Neill in the early hours of March 5th while resisting arrest outside an address at Cnoc na Scoile on Ennis’s Kilrush Rd.

In evidence, Garda Sean O’Sullivan described how Mr Kelly was increasingly aggressive and when restrained by Gardai - “he kicked out and spat at Gardaí”.

Garda O’Sullivan said that one of the kicks made contact with his head and while some of Mr Kelly's spittle also landed on his head.

The garda said that Mr Kelly bit down on the hand of Garda O’Neill and “drew blood”.

Garda O'Sullivan said that Garda O’Neill sought medical assistance and required an update tetanus injection.

Counsel for the State, Sarah Jane Comerford BL (instructed by State Solicitor for Clare, Aisling Casey) said that Garda O’Neill underwent blood tests and they returned negative for infection after the bite.

Garda O’Sullivan said that Mr Kelly has 114 previous convictions that include previous convictions for aggravated burglary, burglary, robbery, assault, criminal damage, theft and drug possession offences.

Imposing sentence, Judge Comerford said that the bite injury sustained by Garda O’Neill “was not a serous injury and there was minimal bleeding” after taking into the medical report.

He said: “The bite was not deep but was still a bite into flesh and blood of a person and could have terrible consequences for the person as there is a high risk of infection in such cases."

Counsel for the accused, Patrick Whyms BL (instructed by solicitor, Tara Godfrey) contended that “if the victim wasn’t a Garda the matter wouldn’t be in the circuit court”.

Judge Comerford said that Mr Kelly “has a very bad record” and his offences “go back to a young age”.

Mr Whyms stated that all of Mr Kelly’s previous convictions arise from his alcohol and drug addiction issues.