A Nigerian asylum-seeker who had to be restrained by seven gardaí after he lost his temper when refused a rent allowance has received a six-month suspended sentence from Judge Desmond Hogan at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Mr Goodwill Udechuckwu was denied the application by the South Western Area Health Board and became very aggressive with community welfare officer Mr Charles Moore.
He began to scream and shout and Mr Moore had to close the shutters because he feared for his safety. Gardaí were called and they tried to calm him but he continued to be aggressive and assistance was called for.
Gardaí were forced to arrest Mr Udechuckwu and when they tried to handcuff him he began kicking and punching and dived at one garda trying to bite him.
He failed but maintained throughout that he was HIV positive.
It eventually took seven gardaí to carry him into a patrol car and he was taken to Rathfarnham Garda station and charged. He has remained in custody since the incident last April.
Mr Udechuckwu (29), Barton Drive, Rathfarnham, Dublin, pleaded guilty to assault on April 16th, 2002. Another five charges were taken into consideration.
Garda Ann Byrne said Mr Udechuckwu, who cried throughout the 20 minute court hearing, first called to the health board in the morning but was told to come back that afternoon with the appropriate documentation.
He returned with the wrong documents and his application was refused.
It was at this point that he became aggressive. Garda Byrne said she suffered bruising to her arms and legs in the incident and her colleague, Sgt Sean Kerr, received a wound to the arm.
She added that Mr Udechuckwu had come to Ireland seeking political asylum but his application was refused.
An appeal into that decision was pending.