A 32-year-old ex-Garda, who was head-butted by a man he had taken into custody, has been awarded €27,400 Garda compensation for a broken nose in the High Court.
Julian Shanagher from Dundrum in Dublin told a Garda Compensation hearing at the High Court that in May 2009, he had been patrolling in Portlaoise, County Laois, with a colleague, when they came across a public order incident involving youths.
Ex-Garda Shanager told the court that, as the youths were asked to behave, one of them shouted obscenities at the officers and – as the youth was extremely drunk – he had been arrested, handcuffed and taken to Portlaoise Garda Station.
On arrival at Portlaoise Garda Station, ex-Garda Shanager tried to calm the arrested man, but the youth – described as “already very agitated” in court – became irate and suddenly head butted the officer in the face.
Ms Justice Mary Irvine heard that the officer was taken to the Accident and Emergency Department of Portlaoise Hospital, where x-rays revealed a nasal fracture. Ex-Garda Shanager – who has now joined the Dublin Fire Brigade – was off work for a month due to his injury and in 2010 underwent rhinoplasty surgery to re-set his nose.
Judge Irvine was told by ex-Garda Shanager´s legal representative that the former officer still experiences pain and discomfort from time to time, especially in cold weather. Ms Justice Mary Irvine awarded him €27,400 Garda compensation for a broken nose against the Minister for Finance.