Two men jailed after assaulting garda in Mayo takeaway on St Patrick's Night

TWO young men who assaulted a member of An Garda Siochána during a disturbance in a Mayo takeaway of St Patrick's night will spend Christmas in prison.

Dylan Pyne (23) of The Close, Mahon Drive, Blackrock, Co Cork and a second defendant who cannot be named as he was a minor at the time of the offence were both remanded in custody by Judge Eoin Garavan until next February and told to expect a custodial sentence.

The two defendants are both charged with assault of Sergeant Paul Maher in Castle Kebabs takeaway on New Antrim Street, Castlebar on March 18, 2024 as well as the assault of a member of staff on the same night.

A sitting of Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court was shown CCTV footage of inside the restaurant at around 12.20am where the two defendants were shown assaulting a member of staff after they were refused entry to the toilets.

READ: Mayo man jailed after claiming €80,000 in job seekers while working as a courier

The footage also showed the two men trying to jump the counter to confront staff members before Sgt Maher and his colleague arrived. The footage showed Sgt Maher being assaulted by both the males when he tried to make an arrest and six members of An Garda Siochána had to attend the scene before order was restored.

Commenting on what he saw, Judge Garavan described what occurred as an appalling event and remanded both men in custody until February for sentencing.

“A custodial sentence is sure to follow and I will give my reasons in due course,” Judge Garavan commented.

“This was an appalling act of violence and this is not how Gardaí should have to celebrate St Patrick's Day. This was an appalling act of violence which read terribly and looked just as bad. 

“I won't accept that behaviour towards the Indian community and members of the Gardaí. They were petrified by these thugs on the night and a custodial sentence is warranted and we will see if they have learned any lessons before February.”

Sergeant John Needham had earlier told the court that the two defendants arrived at the takeaway and asked to use the toilet. Their request was refused but they continued to the back of the restaurant where staff attempted to intervene.

Judge Eoin Garavan

Sgt Needham said a fight ensued where the manager of the restaurant was assaulted before other staff managed to take him back inside the counter and Gardaí were called.

He explained that Mr Pyne had been wearing three large rings which resulted in lacerations to the manager’s face and head as well as bruising.

Before gardaí arrived at the scene, the CCTV showed the two defendants attempting to jump the counter and Mr Pyne took off his top. He also had to be restrained by family members who arrived at the scene.

When Sgt Maher arrived, he attempted to arrest Mr Pyne but was struck from behind by the second defendant and a scuffle ensued. When Sgt Maher attempted to deal with this male he was struck by Mr Pyne who also grabbed at his stab-proof vest and also held onto his leg.

While watching the footage, Judge Garavan commented that it was another St Patrick's Day special.

Mobile phone footage taken by one of the staff showed the two defendant's taunting staff members and one of the defendants could be heard saying, 'Have ye a pair of balls...come on'.

Sgt Needhan also explained that gardaí who arrived to assist were also verbally abused on their arrival before the two males were eventually detained.

The two defendants pleaded guilty to the charges against them and in a victim impact statement given by the manager of the restaurant, he said he was very scared on the night and he left Castlebar shortly afterwards.

Dr Laura Byrne, counsel for Mr Pyne said her client wished to apologise to Sgt Maher and the manager of the restaurant for his appalling behaviour. She said he resides in Cork and is married with one child and another on the way.

Ms Áine Boyle, counsel for the second defendant who is now aged 18 said his behaviour on the night was appalling and he also wished to apologise.

The court was told he made 'no comment' answers when questioned afterwards by gardaí and his mother refused to sign garda notes after the interview.

Sgt Needham said he was also eligible for the Youth Diversion Programme who failed to engage with his Juvenile Liaison Officer, a decision which was described by Judge Garavan as a 'bit of a mistake'.

Judge Garavan refused to entertain requests to remand the two defendants on bail and instead remanded them in custody for sentencing on February 24.