Hurler punched garda in front of his children

Eimear Cotter

A DUBLIN minor hurler punched an off-duty detective in the face after he stopped a car which was being driven dangerously around an estate where his children were playing.

Oisin Cannon (19) left Detective Garda Will Sisk needing six stitches to a cut about his eye following the assault, which took place in front of the garda's young children.

The defendant was a passenger in the car, and he hit Garda Sisk after the officer took the keys from the ignition.

Cannon, who plays his hurling for Ballyboden St Enda's and is a Dublin minor hurler, avoided a conviction after he paid a substantial sum of compensation, believed to be €3,000, to the victim.

The defendant, of Orlagh Meadows, Knocklyon, was before the court for sentencing after a judge ordered a pre-sentence report and victim and offender mediation reports.

Cannon had previously admitted before Tallaght District Court to seriously assaulting Garda Will Sisk in an incident in July 24, 2009.

Detective Garda Kieron O'Neill previously told Tallaght District Court that Garda Sisk had been in the estate in Knocklyon with his children when he stopped the car.

Cannon, who was 17-year-old at the time, was a passenger in the car.

The court heard Garda Sisk challenged the motorist about the alleged reckless driving and took the keys from the ignition.

He later gave back the keys but Cannon then punched him with a closed fist, just above the left eye.

The assault was witnessed by the garda's young children, and he needed six stitches to a cut above the eye.

Defence solicitor Padraig O'Donovan said the incident was totally out of character for Cannon, who has never been in trouble before.

Mr O'Donovan said it Cannon punched the garda only once, and it was not a vicious attack.

The court heard the defendant is a student but also works in a supermarket, and is saving so he can repay his parents after he borrowed the compensation from them.

Judge James McDonnell said Cannon had co-operated fully with the probation services, had attended mediation, and paid substantial compensation. The judge said he accepted the assault was a one-off and he applied the Probation Act.

hnews@herald.ie