Jury Discharged in High-Profile Case of Ex-Garda Assault Claim

A jury has been discharged without reaching a verdict in the case of a former garda who claimed he was wrongfully struck on the head by a fellow officer during a high-speed pursuit. The decision came at the High Court after the jury foreperson informed Mr Justice Micheál O’Higgins that they could not come to a consensus.

On Friday evening, the foreperson indicated that no progress had been made after deliberations began at approximately 14:45 on Thursday. Justice O’Higgins expressed gratitude to the jury for their service and excused them from future jury duty for five years. This marked the conclusion of a trial that lasted seven days.

The case involved John Bowe, aged 41, who was arrested following a police chase outside Bunclody, Co Wexford, on December 5, 2014. Mr Bowe, a resident of Coolnaleen, Camolin, Enniscorthy, was previously convicted of multiple counts of dangerous driving related to the incident. In this civil action, he alleged that he sustained injuries when Superintendent Rory Sheriff, then a sergeant at Enniscorthy Garda station, struck him with a retractable baton after the chase.

Supt Sheriff defended his actions, stating they were “proportionate and justified” due to what he described as the most “extreme and dangerous” driving he had ever witnessed. During his testimony, he recounted the chase that reached speeds exceeding 140 kph, which lasted approximately 25 minutes. He claimed that Mr Bowe turned towards him brandishing a “metallic object” and lunged at him, prompting his decision to use the baton.

The object in question was later identified as a set of keys with two bottle openers attached. Mr Bowe contended that Supt Sheriff wrongfully and violently struck him, leading to a diagnosis of functional neurological disorder resulting from the alleged injuries. These claims were denied by the defendants, which included Supt Sheriff, the Garda Commissioner, the Attorney General, and the state of Ireland.

In concluding the proceedings, Justice O’Higgins emphasized that the jury process, regardless of its outcome, is a critical aspect of the legal system. The matter has been adjourned to a later date to establish new timelines for the case.