22-05-2025
Trial delayed for Garda superintendent accused of assaulting woman in Dublin
The case first came before the court on March 28. The officer was present then but remained at the back of the courtroom.
A Garda Superintendent who denies attacking a woman on a Dublin street will go on trial in September.
Gavin O'Reilly, whose address is given on his summons as Phoenix Park, is accused of assaulting a named woman at Strand Street Great on August 26, 2023.
He also has a connected charge for engaging in threatening, abusive, and insulting behaviour on the same occasion. He denies the charges.
Garda Superintendent Gavin O'Reilly
News in 90 Seconds - May 22nd
It follows an investigation by the Garda ombudsman (Fiosrú), and his hearing was due to take place at Dublin District Court yesterday/today after Judge John Hughes noted there was a not-guilty plea.
However, the defence applied to have it vacated and put back to a later date. The judge scheduled the non-jury hearing for September 9, when the senior officer must attend the proceedings.
The case first came before the court on March 28. The officer was present then but remained at the back of the courtroom.
Disclosure of prosecution evidence was ordered, and the defence team had asked for the hearing to be held on "the earliest date possible".
No evidence about the alleged incident was given during the brief hearing.
The assault under section two of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, which is dealt with solely at a District Court level, carries a maximum six-month sentence. Under section six of the Public Order Act, the second charge on conviction can result in a three-month term of imprisonment.
