Man (27) charged with assaulting garda during drug search

Tom Tuite

A 27-year-old Midlands man has been accused of attacking and injuring a Dublin garda on "his first day on the job".

Fabian Skey of Farran, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, was charged with assault causing harm to the officer, obstructing a search and possessing street tablets for sale or supply in Dublin 1 on Thursday.

He faced bail objections when he appeared before Judge Michele Finan at Dublin District Court on Friday.

Garda Billy Redmond alleged Mr Skey, who has yet to indicate a plea, was in an area on Foley Street well known for drug dealing, and there was a strong smell of cannabis.

He believed he saw the accused engaged in a drug transaction and approached him.

On being searched, he allegedly had €112 of zopiclone and €510 of alprazolam tablets.

The court heard he also became aggressive and tried to assault gardaí and retrieve the drugs.

It was claimed he punched another garda in the right eye and also kicked the officer. Several gardaí were needed to restrain Mr Skey, the court heard.

The garda alleged he continued to be aggressive while being transported to Store Street Garda station.

Judge Finan heard the attacked garda was "unfit for duty now, it was his first day on the job".

Garda Redmond feared further assaults on gardaí and said that the accused had no reason to be in Dublin city centre.

Defence counsel Fergal McMorrow stressed that his client, who did not address the court, had no history of assault offences, a point the judge referred to when she set bail.

However, she required approval of a €3,000 independent surety. She remanded him in custody with consent to bail. On taking it up, he must stay out of Dublin except for court appearances, sign on daily at his local garda station, and remain contactable by phone.

Directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions have to be obtained in the case, which resumes on September 12th at Cloverhill District Court.