A man who claimed he was arrested by a detective garda on suspicion of having committed criminal damage, but was never charged with any offence, yesterday began a High Court action for damages against the State.
Mr Sean McGovern (36), of Castlelawns, Athboy, Co Meath, alleged he was beaten and suffered at the hands of the garda. The defence denies the claims.
Mr McGovern said that while walking through a housing estate in Trim, Co Meath early on the morning of September 16th, 1996 he was clubbed on the head by a man who ran up behind him and whom he now knew was Det Garda John Considine.
His assailant asked if he had knocked over a flower pot in his garden, but he insisted he had the wrong man.
A squad car arrived and brought him to Trim Garda station. He was released at 2.25 a.m. without charge.
The hearing continues next Tuesday.