Kilkenny man who spat in garda’s face charged with assault

A man has been charged with assaulting a garda after spitting in the officer’s face.

Dylan Cahill, 68 Pococke Lower, Kilkenny, also pleaded guilty to being in illegal possession of drugs and a charge of obstruction.

Sergeant Morgan O’Connor told the court that on September 26, 2024, Mr Cahill was in custody in Kilkenny Garda Station, at 1.40am. Mr Cahill spat into a garda’s face.

The defendant was searched and a small quantity of cannabis herb was found, valued at €10.

The obstruction charge arose out of failing to comply with the search, the sergeant said.

The court heard that Mr Cahill had 10 previous convictions, ‘a large number’ for simple possession of drugs.

Solicitor Chris Hogan said his client had asked him to apologise to the gardaí. What happened on the night in question was that Mr Cahill had been arrested at the same time as another person.
That other person was processed first and Mr Cahill had to wait in the back of the smaller garda van for 30 minutes.

Mr Hogan said his client suffers from claustrophobia, it was no excuse for his behaviour but “this is why he saw the ‘red mist’ when he got out”.

Mr Cahill is doing well at the moment, he is working and is expecting his first child with his partner.

Judge Geraldine Carthy asked for a Probation Report to be prepared before concluding the case. The matter was adjourned to a court sitting in April.