A former soldier in the Irish Defence Forces has been sentenced to four years in prison, after he violently resisted arrest leaving a garda with long- term injuries to her wrist.
Eric Boylan, formerly an Army signalman, was dragged from a squad car by Garda Keith Lambe after he was caught vandalising the Garda radio. He became engaged in a violent struggle during which he behaved like a “wildcat”, according to his defence.
Garda Martina Brant was injured when Boylan rolled on to her as she tried to pull his arm from under his body to handcuff him. She underwent surgery for tendon damage and is likely to lose 40 per cent mobility in her wrist.
Garda Lambe told Lisa Dempsey, prosecuting, that Garda Brant had been in and out of a cast since the night, had been on sick leave for 16 weeks and was effectively doing an administrative job as a result.
She had been unable to go back to working as a skydiving instructor, which had been a particular passion.
Violent behaviour
Boylan (26), Blakestown Road, Clonsilla, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assaulting gardaí, criminal damage to a patrol car and a uniform and obstruction on Dame Street, on July 2nd, 2011. He also admitted violent behaviour in a Garda station.
He has previous convictions for public order and minor road traffic offences.
Garda Lambe agreed with Conor Devally SC, defending, that Boylan had acted like “a wildcat”. He was not aware that Boylan had believed that gardaí were trying to arrest his friend and that was why he got into the patrol car.
Under the influence
Garda Lambe said Boylan was not sober and was "under the influence of something other than the norm".
Mr Devally said Boylan had discharged himself from the Army, was now in full-time employment and no longer abused alcohol or drugs.
Boylan brought €1,600 to court as a gesture of remorse, but Garda Brant said the money should go to charity.
Judge Mary Ellen Ring sentenced Boylan to four years in prison with the final 2½ years suspended.