A homeless man who punched and kicked a female garda was jailed for three years today.
Nicholas Veale, 35, pleaded guilty to assaulting the officer, causing her harm, in Dungarvan, Co Waterford, on August 3 last year.
A court heard the accused, who has 51 previous convictions, was drinking with others when approached.
He told the garda: “I’m giving you an opportunity to leave the area.
“I don’t give a f**k. At least I’ll have a roof over my head.”
Waterford Circuit Court was told Veale then pushed the garda from behind and struck her with his fist before kicking her four times.
It was claimed he told the officer to “F**k off... you’ll do nothing to me” and continued to lash out when she was on the ground at the Greenway.
Veale, of no fixed abode, also warned bystanders, saying: “What the f**k are ye looking at? I’ll take out the lot of ye.”
The court heard the accused had to be pepper-sprayed when being restrained and the garda suffered cuts and bruising.
Judge Eugene O’Kelly said the “very nasty assault” merited a four-year sentence but he reduced it due to a guilty plea, along with mental health issues and homelessness.
Veale also received concurrent two-month terms for public disorder and obstructing gardai.
