A DETECTIVE'S gun was taken from him and fired in the air after he was attacked while trying to retrieve stolen hubcaps. Det Sgt John McMahon told Dublin Circuit Criminal Court that the incident got out of hand as a result of the aggressive behaviour of another man, who intervened and shouted: "The pig is on his own. Let's do him."
Det Garda Tom Mitchell drew his gun and said: "Armed garda, back off." However, he was struck by the man and knocked to the ground.
Two of the hub cap thieves, Alan Byrne and Jonathan Keeley, joined in the attack. The detective's hand was stamped on and Byrne took his gun and discharged it in the air six times. Det Garda Mitchell suffered a fracture to his nose and other injuries.
All three attackers then ran off and phoned gardai to say "men with guns" were in the area, Det Sgt McMahon said.
Byrne (23), of Gilbert Road, Dublin, and Keeley (23), of Fatima Mansions, Dublin, pleaded guilty to common assault on Det Garda Mitchell at O'Curry Road on March 2nd, 1995.
Judge Diarmuid Sheridan imposed nine month sentences on both men but suspended the warrants for a year. He ordered Byrne to provide regular urine analysis tests and instructed Keeley to stay under probation. Byrne was ordered to save £150 and Keeley £75 in compensation for Det Garda Mitchell.