A garda accused of assaulting a man during an arrest - and who subsequently died - has been acquitted by a jury at the Central Criminal Court.
Garda Brendan Whitty, 29, stationed at Kevin Street Garda Station, had pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm to Mr Keith Murphy on Thomas Street, Dublin 2, on 20 September 2007.
The trial had previously heard that Mr Murphy died hours after the alleged assault but that his death was from a drug overdose and unrelated to the garda's actions.
Garda Whitty gave evidence that he intervened to stop an argument Mr Murphy and another man, but Mr Murphy had become aggressive and threatening. He had used his baton to defend himself.
The acquittal was welcomed by the Garda Representative Association.
