Man assaulted female garda in Portlaoise

A man who took exception to being stopped assaulted a female garda in Portlaoise. 

Buphinder Singh, 43, with an address at Sarsfield Street, Mountmellick admitted assaulting a garda on Main Street in Portlaoise and being abusive on September 8, 2021. 

Describing the incident as nasty, Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the defendant was stopped while driving at 2.15pm. He got out of the vehicle and “pushed” and “aggressively shoved” the garda up against a wall. He said the man had no previous convictions. 

“She was very shaken by it,” Sgt Kirby told the sitting of Portlaoise District Court. 

Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick agreed it was a serious incident. 

“Thankfully she didn’t miss any days in work,” she remarked. 

She said her client has a degree in commerce and is married to a teacher in Ireland. She said he wished to extend an apology to the garda and he had brought €400 to court. 

“I think he is missing a digit,” said Judge Cody.  

He asked for an explanation for the man’s actions.

“There is no justification,” Ms Fitzpatrick said. 

“He took exception to how he was being dealt with,” she added. 

“I would like the sum of €3,000 to be made available,” said Judge Cody. 

He said the money should go to the Garda who was assaulted or to a charity of her nomination. 

“Otherwise he is looking at a custodial sentence,” said Judge Cody.

He said there was a similar case in Tullamore recently and people are “just letting fly at gardai”. 

He adjourned the case back to Portlaoise District Court on July 20 for €3,000 to be brought to court.