Former garda awarded €37,700 over nightclub assault by ‘terrorist’

A 41-year-old former garda, who was assaulted by a "terrorist" 15 years ago while on a night out with his girlfriend, has been awarded €37,700 compensation in the High Court.

Mr Justice Bernard Barton said Adam Leddy had been left with physical and psychological injuries following the unprovoked attack by a "thug and terrorist" in the gents' toilet of a nightclub in Gortakeegan, Co Monaghan.

Mr Leddy had told a Garda Compensation hearing that the man, who was a suspected member of the Provisional IRA and was well-known to the police, had said "Well, cop" to him before punching him in the head and face.

The ex-garda, who was stationed at Emyvale Garda station, Co Monaghan, at the time, said he lost his balance and fell backwards. The man had then kicked him repeatedly on his back and leg while he was lying on the ground.

He told his barrister Aoife Farrelly that he had been taken to hospital where it was found he had a broken nose, swelling and laceration around his right eye, bruising to his face and body and that a number of his teeth had been chipped.

Mr Leddy said he had needed several weeks off work following the incident. He had to be transferred to Dublin Airport Garda station as he “could not face the local community” after the assault.

He told Mr Justice Barton he had been deprived of an opportunity to fight back against the man, who later received a suspended sentence and was ordered to pay just over €9,000 compensation for the assault.

Mr Leddy said he had suffered from neck and back pain. He had later been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and had sometimes used alcohol and cannabis to “heal” his injuries.

The court heard Mr Leddy was dismissed from An Garda Síochána eight years ago after having pleaded guilty in court in Northern Ireland to possession of cannabis. He had been stopped by police in the North and found to have cannabis.

Mr Justice Barton said Mr Leddy had fortunately progressed and was essentially well. Awarding him €37,700, the judge said his stress symptoms had been impacted by the use of alcohol and illicit drugs.

*This article was edited on February 3rd, 2015