Young man tried to rugby tackle Garda to the ground
By Brendan Grehan
A YOUNG man who tried to rugby tackle a Garda to the ground and then bit him twice had taken a cocktail of vodka, pills and cocaine, Tallaght District Court has heard.
Nathan Benson kicked a second Garda twice to the lower back as other gardai tried to arrest him.
Tallaght District Court
Benson, aged 20, with an address at Woodfield, Knocklyon, pleaded guilty to assaulting Garda Declan Buckley and assaulting Garda Christian Madsen causing him harm at Butterfield Avenue, Rathfarnham, on April 22, 2018.
Sergeant Michael Phelan told Judge Paula Murphy that at 12.15am on April 22 last, the gardai got a call about a vehicle in the car park of Rathfarnham Shopping Centre.
He said there were no headlights on the vehicle and the gardai indicated for it to stop. The car turned onto Butterfield Avenue and a white bag was thrown out the window.
The car then stopped and Benson got out.
Sgt Phelan said he was very aggressive and tried to rugby tackle Garda Madsen. Garda Madsen then went to arrest Benson and he bit Garda Madsen’s right bicep.
Benson then broke free and he bit Garda Madsen a second time on his right bicep. Sgt Phelan said Garda Madsen’s skin was bruised but not broken.
Garda Buckley then went to help his colleague and he was kicked twice by Benson in the lower back.
Sgt Phelan said neither Garda required medical attention. He said the Gardai noticed that Benson had white foam around his mouth and white powder at his nostrils.
Benson’s counsel, Stephen Montgomery Bl, said his client lived with his grandparents because of his parents drugs issues.
He said that on the date in question, Benson had taken vodka, pills and cocaine. Mr Montgomery said Benson needed help to deal with his drug problem.
Judge Murphy adjourned the case for four weeks to see if Benson was suitable to attend the Drug Treatment Court.
