A GARDA on trial for assaulting a Dublin youth denied using excessive force but said he could have handled the situation “in a more professional manner”.
Garda Alan Conlon (30), one of four gardaí accused of assaulting Owen Gaffney after breaking into his home, told the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) that he regretted the situation “got out of hand”, felt it was dealt with unprofessionally and apologised.
Gerard McDonnell, a GSOC officer, told Patrick McGrath, prosecuting, that Garda Conlon said he had been driving around the Basin Street flats on February 17th, 2008, looking to arrest Mr Gaffney for threatening to bite off his nose the previous night, when he met colleagues in the Kilmainham patrol car.
Garda Conlon said he found out Garda Eoin Murtagh was looking to arrest Mr Gaffney and got a call from the Kilmainham vehicle later that day to go the flats.
Gardaí Conlon, Murtagh, Claire Delaney and Seán O’Leary have pleaded not guilty to assaulting Mr Gaffney, causing him harm on February 17th, 2008.
The trial continues.