Swinford man spat in Mayo garda's mouth after arrest

A SWINFORD man who spat into the mouth of a Garda after assaulting another in Castlebar courthouse wants to go to prison in order to get clean from alcohol.

Paul Howley (39) of 22 Brabazon Heights, Swinford appeared before Castlebar District Court where he pleaded guilty to assaulting two members of An Garda Siochána in Castlebar on August 26 last.

Court presenter, Sergeant Conor McShane explained that Mr Howley has been brought to Castebar Courthouse for a special sitting of the district court after he was charged with a public order offence. He was accompanied by Garda John Garrett and Sergeant Conor Drury and while in custody he became violent and lashed out at Garda Garrett. He said he kicked him in the hand causing him pain.

Judge Sandra Murphy was informed that after this assault, Mr Howley was conveyed to Castlebar Garda Station and on the way to the station he spat at Sgt Drury hitting him in the mouth.

As a result, Sgt Drury was brought to Mayo University Hospital where he received medical treatment and screened for HIV and bloodborne diseases. Sgt McShane said that fortunately, he received the all clear while Garda Garrett also received no lasting injury but was a week off work.

The court heard that Mr Howley has 40 previous convictions and at the time of the offence was serving a five month suspended prison sentence for threatening to kill or cause serious harm. The sentence was imposed in Ballina District Court on May 2, 2024.

Mr Brendan Donnelly, solicitor for the defendant said his client had committed a disgusting offence and there was no mitigating factor to defend it and wished to apologise to the gardaí for his actions.

Mr Donnelly explained that he has known Mr Howley since he was 16 years old when he became addicted to alcohol and drugs and got into a lot of trouble for the next four or five years. He added he managed to sort his life out and moved out of Mayo and settled with his partner and two children.

However, the relationship broke up two years ago and Mr Donnelly said his client started to abuse alcohol again to such a degree that he was a constant worry to his family.

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Mr Howley was remanded in prison following the spitting incident and Mr Donnelly said that had he not gone into prison he would be dead. He said he is attending AA meetings and is now sober and working in the prison.

Mr Donnelly said his client is awaiting sentence in Castlebar Circuit Court for separate matters in February and accepts he will be receiving a custodial sentence. He added he wants to stay in prison 'to get clean because he will not get clean on the outside'.

Judge Murphy described what occurred as significant assaults on two gardaí and described what happened to Sgt Drury as an appalling offence placed at the upper echelons of what she has to deal with in the district court.

She indicated that he will face a six month sentence for each of the offences which is the maximum sentence she could impose.

However, Judge Murphy indicated that she would like to see a probation report into Mr Howley which was ordered as part of the sentencing process in the circuit court before finalising the sentence.

Mr Donnelly said that his client has yet to meet the probation officer in prison so Judge Murphy remanded Mr Howley in custody to appear before the court on December 17 for mention to see when the probation report will be completed.