The sentencing of a garda for assaulting a schoolteacher in the 2002 May Day Reclaim the Streets demonstration in Dublin city has been adjourned to today.
Garda Paul Daly (26) was found guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on November 6th of assault on Mr Emmet Bunting (28), of Collins Avenue, Dublin, on May 6th, 2002.
A jury had acquitted him and his colleague, Garda Fergus Hogan, on charges of assault causing harm to Mr Bunting.
At the sentencing hearing yesterday, Judge Yvonne Murphy was told by Garda Daly's defence that his conviction was going to be appealed. Mr Gerard Clarke SC applied for his client's conditional discharge on the grounds that the assault was "little more than a technical assault", and usually such summary offences were dealt with in the district courts.
Judge Murphy said there was a lot of evidence to consider, and she would rule on the matter today.