A Waterford based garda has told a court that he saw a colleague punch a prisoner three or four times in the head with a closed fist in Waterford Garda Station.
Garda Darren Leahy was giving evidence at the trial of Garda Tom McKenna at Waterford District Court.
Mr McKenna is charged with the assault of 33-year-old Polish man Bartlomej Skwirut in June of last year. He is pleading not guilty.
A previous sitting of the court heard that truck driver Mr Skwirut was arrested with his friend, Tomasz Sikora (34), for a public order offence.
The men had been drinking at The Woodlands Hotel in Waterford.
They were brought to Waterford Garda station where Mr Skwirut is alleged to have tried to karate kick Mr Leahy but missed.
Mr Leahy told the court today he had been trying to get identification from Mr Sikora in the custody suite at the time.
He caught Mr Skwirut out of the corner of his eye trying the karate kick at him.
The kick did not connect and the court heard that Mr Leahy did not subsequently report the incident or make any formal complaint.
Mr Leahy said Mr McKenna then came into the custody suite and hit Mr Skwirut a number of times in the face near his left eye and then gave him a slap.
Mr Leahy agreed with the solicitor for Mr McKenna, that Mr Skwirut was very intoxicated, a danger to himself, aggressive and obnoxious and that Mr McKenna rescued him from being assaulted.
The matter was subsequently referred to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC).
Sergeant Alan Kissane also gave evidence, saying he was on duty that night and when he went into the custody suite, he noticed some marks on his Mr Skwirut's eye.
Mr Skwirut's face was then photographed and medical attention was called. Mr Kissane said he was aware that Mr Skwirut had drawn a kick at Mr Leahy but had missed.
The trial is continuing.
