Irish Police Officers Jailed For Assault

Two former Gardaí have been given prison sentences following an assault on a man in Waterford in 2010.

Both have been jailed and a Gardaí sergeant given a suspended jail sentence following an incident in which officers assaulted a civilian during an arrest in Waterford last year.

Daniel Hickey (29), who resigned from the force following his conviction in August, was sentenced to three years with 18 months suspended for assault causing harm to Anthony Holness on New Street in Waterford on January 29th, 2010.

Sgt Martha McEnery (42) was sentenced to four months but had the entirety of the sentence suspended after she was convicted of a lesser charge of assaulting Mr Holness (38) on the same occasion.

John Burke (39), who also resigned following his conviction, was sentenced to two years with 12 months suspended for attempting to pervert the course of justice by diverting CCTV cameras away from the assault on Mr Holness.

The prosecution of the three, along with that of a fourth officer who was acquitted of assault, followed an investigation by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission.

A jury of five men convicted them and seven women following a four-week trial at Waterford Circuit Criminal Court last July and August.

Judge Leonie Reynolds at Waterford Circuit Court handed down sentencing yesterday afternoon.

(BMcC/GK)