Man who injured officer gets community service instead of jail

A MAN who caused a garda to suffer a cracked cheekbone in a St Patrick's Day assault has had his jail sentence replaced with community service and a peace bond on appeal.

- BY FIONNUALA WALSH

An appeals court heard that the incident began when the defendant, who was under the influence at the time, attempted to engage in "banter" with gardai which was "not well received".

The injured garda told the court she was out of work for 18 months and had to get shoulder surgery as a result of the assault.

Mark Kelly, 39, with an address in Palmerstown, Dublin, had pleaded not guilty in the District Court to two counts of assault as well as a count of using threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour.

He was convicted and sentenced to two five-month consecutive jail terms for assault, with a two-month sentence for threatening behaviour which was suspended for two years.

He later lodged an appeal against the severity of his sentence.