A garda has told a murder jury she was assaulted by a man arrested for breaching a barring order and whose partner is now on trial for his murder.
Garda Sinéad Magee told the Central Criminal Court that the deceased man, Derek Benson, attempted to knock her down the stairs of the Bridewell after she arrested him for breaching a barring order taken out by his partner, Ms Jacqui Noble.
Garda Magee said she was on duty in Ballymun, Dublin in November 1997, when she heard him shouting up at Ms Noble's flat. She warned him to leave the area and then spoke to Ms Noble.
As they spoke, Derek Benson entered the flat whereupon Garda Magee arrested him and brought him before the District Court. He was granted bail. As he was being brought to the custody office to sign the bail bond he turned to Garda Magee and said: "I guarantee you I'll be back in Jacqui Noble's flat tonight and she won't be making a complaint."
Garda Magee said she immediately returned him to court, informed the judge and bail was revoked. She said she was bringing Benson to the cells when "he swung around and hit me in an effort or attempt to knock me down the stairs". Benson received a six-month sentence for assaulting her.
Ms Noble's GP, Dr Muiris Houston, outlined a litany of injuries sustained by her over a five-year period up to 1999. Dr Houston, who was then attached to the Ballymun health centre, said he advised her to go to the gardaí.
Jacqui Noble (38), Knowth Court, Ballymun, Dublin and Paul Hopkins (24), Sillogue Road, Ballymun deny murdering Benson.
The trial continues today.