Two men jailed for incident that led to Garda breaking his hand
Two Wicklow men have been sentenced to three months in prison each for obstructing a Garda called to a disturbance outside a house in Dunlavin, Co Wicklow three years ago.
Kevin Scanlan (29) of Stoneacre, Crehelp, Dunlavin and Ross Coleborn (29) of Castledermot Road, Baltinglass, Co Wicklow both pleaded guilty to a charge of obstructing a peace officer in the execution of his duty at Fairgreen Manor, Dunlavin, on April 26, 2022, contrary to Section 19 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994.
A sitting of Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court heard Garda Mark Pender broke his hand during the incident.
Gda Pender told the court that he was called to a house in Dunlavin where he discovered both accused parties in an intoxicated state trying to gain entry to a property.
The court heard that Mr Scanlon was in a relationship with Mr Coleborn's sister, Claire, who lived in the house and who wanted both men to go away.
Bray Courthouse, where Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court sits
News in 90 Seconds - 3rd June 2025
Gda Pender said both men were quite loud and aggressive, particularly Mr Scanlan who was kicking a door and telling him to 'f**k off.'
The garda who attended the scene on his own, described how a small scuffle broke out between the three of them when he tried to arrest Mr Scanlan.
Gda Pender said he could not execute the arrest as he was being held by both men.
The court heard Mr Scanlan had 51 previous convictions including six for public order offences, while Mr Coleborn had 26 previous convictions, the majority of which were for road traffic offences but one for assault.
Gda Pender told counsel for the DPP, James Kelly BL, that Mr Scanlan was currently serving a prison sentence imposed by a court in Naas in relation to a conviction for criminal damage.
He also confirmed that Mr Scanlan had been on bail at the time of the offence in Dunlavin.
In a victim impact statement, Gda Pender said he did not blame the accused men that he had broken his hand during the incident but that he was disappointed he had been put in such a situation.
Gda Pender said he knew both men but had never experienced such impudence and hostility from them before.
He urged both men not to 'throw their lives away' after informing the court that they had issues with alcohol, cocaine and Valium.
'Something is going to give unless that's stopped,' said Gda Pender.
Cross-examined by counsel for Mr Coleborn, Éamonn O'Moore BL, the witness acknowledged that the accused had written him a letter of apology.
Mr O'Moore said Mr Coleborn was a father of one and mechanic who had significant issues with abuse of alcohol and drugs.
Under cross-examination by barrister for Mr Scanlan, Damian Sheridan BL, Gda Pender said neither accused had come to his attention since the incident and both men looked 'much healthier.'
Mr Sheridan said Mr Scanlan had a difficult family background but had displayed remorse and shame for the impact of his offending and drug-taking.
He said the father of two was a trained chef who had a job offer for when he was released from prison.
'He is counting the days to get back to his family,' said Mr Sheridan.
Counsel said the accused had been free from drugs for a period of three years and now realised 'the value of what he has in life.'
Judge Patrick Quinn said striking a police officer during a scuffle was treated as a serious offence by the court.
'Interfering with a garda in uniform is a serious matter,' he remarked.
The judge also observed that a probation report had assessed Mr Coleborn at being at a high risk of reoffending within the next 12 months and that he did not accept responsibility for his actions.
Sentencing both men to three months in prison, Judge Quinn directed that Mr Scanlan's sentence should be served consecutively to his existing term of imprisonment.
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In my humble opinion it took so long because the two governments, particularly the British government, only sought peace on its terms, which meant defeat the IRA, it meant defeat republicanism and that doesn't work, our people are resolute.' He added: 'The proof of it is that 20 years later the IRA isn't a feature.'
