Assaulted paramedic and four gardai in Portlaoise 

A man who had no criminal record assaulted four gardai and a paramedic after drinking ‘unusual alcohol’ at a barbecue. 

Rory Freeman, 29, with an address at 54 Higgins Park, Fairgreen, Portlaoise was charged with assault, public intoxication, threatening and abusive behaviour, obstruction and criminal damage to a patrol van at his address on March 17, 2021. 

Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick explained that two of the more serious matters arising from the same incident were dealt with in the circuit court in June. 

Garda Sergeant Laura Gaffey explained that Gardai had been called to assist a paramedic at the address on the date in question. She said Gardai found the defendant upstairs with a paramedic and four gardai escorted the accused out of the property.

“Four garda members ended up being assaulted,” Sgt Gaffey said. 

Sgt Gaffey said the defendant spat in the back of the patrol van.  He subsequently admitted to assaults in the Circuit Court, she added. 

Ms Fitzpatrick said her client was given an 18 month sentence which was suspended for three years and he agreed to pay a total of €12,000 to the victims of the assaults. 

She said her client had been fully cooperative. 

“He had been at a barbecue associated with his work and there was alcohol consumed which was unusual alcohol,” said Ms Fitzpatrick. 

She said he has not been in trouble since and continues to work full time. She said the €12,000 was to be split between two injured parties, one paramedic and one garda. 

Sgt Gaffey explained that the assaults before the District Court occurred in the back of an ambulance. 

Ms Fitzpatrick said her client has no recollection of the incident. She produced a probation report which had been prepared for the Circuit Court. 

She said in relation to the three injured parties in the District Court Charges her client had managed to gather a sum of €800. She said the man worked as a general operative. 

Judge Andrew Cody asked why Gardai had attended at the defendant’s address. 

Sgt Gaffey said they had been called to assist paramedics. She said the incident occurred during the Covid restrictions and one paramedic was permitted at a time in the property and when they did they were assaulted. She believed his parents had called paramedics. 

“He pleaded guilty from the get go,” said Ms Fitzpatrick.

Judge Andrew Cody ordered that the €800 be donated to the Cara Curley Foundation. He sentenced the man to three months suspended for three years for the assaults on three gardai and all other matters were taken into consideration.