A man has been jailed for seven years after being found guilty of seriously assaulting a garda at a Halloween bonfire.
Andrew Freaney, 24, of Elm Park, Clonmel, Co Tipperary, denied that he seriously assaulted Garda Helena Power at Bianconi Drive in Clonmel 31 October 2008.
He was found guilty last night by a jury following a six-day trial.
At today's sentencing hearing he was given a 10-year prison sentence with three years suspended by Judge Thomas McDonagh.
The last three years were suspended on condition that Freaney be of good behaviour for 10 years.
The accused also received a three-year sentence for assaulting Sergeant Thomas O'Halloran, causing him harm, to which he pleaded guilty.
Clonmel Circuit Court heard during the trial that Garda Power sustained a kick to the face during disturbances at the bonfire and had to have surgery to her eye as a result.
She still suffers some double vision because of the injury.
During the trial, Garda Power and a colleague who was at the bonfire said that after gardaí tried to arrest Freaney's younger brother, the accused punched Sergeant O'Halloran in the face.
Freaney then kicked Garda Power in the face.
Freaney admitted punching Sergeant O'Halloran and pleaded guilty to assaulting him and causing harm.
Freaney told the court it was because "at least three gardaí" were hitting his brother with batons.
He denied kicking Garda Power and said she was not near him when the assault on her occurred.
He also denied in court that he admitted to gardaí that he had kicked Garda Power in the head after being arrested and brought to Clonmel Garda Station that night.
