A garda who spear-tackled a “skinny”, handcuffed teenager and slammed his head off the ground has been jailed for a year. “The victim was powerless when this level of force was applied by a garda,” Judge Codd said. “No circumstances can justify his use of force and the level of force used,” Judge Codd said. In mitigation, Judge Codd accepted that Murphy was entitled to fight his case as “his career and livelihood were on the line”. “He has clearly reflected deeply on his own demeanour on the day,” Judge Codd said.

Source: Irish Examiner February 03, 2026 20:47 UTC