Off-duty garda avoids conviction after drunken assault on hotel porter

An off-duty garda, who represented Roscommon in senior inter-county football, became 'paralytic drunk' after drinking sambucas during a stag weekend and assaulted a hotel porter in Ennis, Co Clare.

Judge Alec Gabbett at Ennis District Court mentioned that the incident wouldn't have occurred if not for the alcohol-fueled stag night.

The garda, Caoileann Fitzmaurice, was spared a conviction and instead received the Probation Act. Internal Garda disciplinary proceedings await him.

Judge Gabbett noted that Mr Fitzmaurice was heavily intoxicated and got into a scuffle with Olufegun Lawal while being directed to the right place.

Mr Fitzmaurice pleaded guilty to the assault at the Queen’s Hotel in Ennis on January 21, 2023. He was not convicted but was ordered to pay €5,000 in compensation to Mr Lawal.

Judge Gabbett praised Mr Fitzmaurice's engagement with the Probation Services and his remorseful behavior.

He acknowledged the impact of the incident on Mr Fitzmaurice's reputation and hoped not to see him in court again except as a State witness.

Despite efforts to have the case struck out, Judge Gabbett emphasized the importance of the disciplinary process within An Garda Síochána.

The victim, Mr Lawal, declined to provide a victim impact statement and Mr Fitzmaurice apologized to him before leaving the courtroom.

Mr Fitzmaurice, a GAA enthusiast and captain of Michael Glaveys senior football team in Roscommon, is currently on Garda office duties.