Man admits in court to impersonating a Kilkenny garda

A man who admitted impersonating a garda had his case adjourned for a probation report at Kilkenny District Court.

Michael Hogan, Gathabawn via Thurles, Co Kilkenny admitted the offence contrary to section 60 of An Garda Síochana Act which took place at Bateman Quay on January 27, 2023.

Sergeant Morgan O’Connor outlined the facts of the case and said that the injured party had left the carpark at the Market Yard in Kilkenny City at approximately 5.30pm and had driven onto Bateman Quay.

When the car was stopped in traffic Mr Hogan started tapping on the window of the injured party’s vehicle and said ‘I am a member of An Garda Síochana’ and then he returned to his car.

Drove off

When the injured party got into her car and drove off the defendant followed behind her. A short time later the woman pulled in at Parliament Street and the defendant pulled in.

The woman called her husband who said to her to drive straight to the garda station. The defendant remained behind her and was ‘revving’ his engine.

The defendant then turned right onto the Kennyswell Road and the injured party went to the garda station and reported the incident.

A short time later gardaí received a report of a man drunk on the Kennyswell Road and went and met with the defendant.

Solicitor Chris Hogan said that his client wished to apologise to the court and that he ‘appreciates that the injured party was put in fear’.

“He didn’t mean anything, just to frighten her,” said Mr Hogan who added that his client was ‘in a bad place at the time’.

Solitary

Mr Hogan told the court that at the time the defendant had suffered a bereavement and added tha t his client lives ‘a solitary existence’.

“He is a 66-year-old single man with no children and he was the main carer for his mother who had dementia and died two years ago.

“He has genuine remorse and has serious mental health issues,” added Mr Hogan.

Judge Geraldine Carthy remarked to the court that the offence before the court was serious.

“Impersonating a garda is really serious and then following her. If that was me I would be frightened out of my wits,” she said.

The judge remanded the defendant on bail to appear before Kilkenny District Court on October 17 and adjourned matters for the preparation of a probation report and finalisation on that date.