Off-Duty Garda Avoids Conviction for Assaulting Hotel Porter in Ennis

An off-duty Garda, Caoileann Fitzmaurice, got heavily drunk after drinking sambucas during a stag weekend before assaulting a hotel porter in Ennis. The incident occurred at the Queen’s Hotel in Co Clare on January 21st, 2023. Fitzmaurice, stationed at Pearse Street Garda Station in Dublin, pleaded guilty to the assault.

Judge Alec Gabbett decided not to convict Fitzmaurice and instead imposed the Probation Act, along with a €5,000 compensation order for the victim, Olufegun Lawal. The judge praised Fitzmaurice's engagement with the Probation Services and his exemplary behavior since the incident.

Fitzmaurice has given up alcohol, undergone counseling, and shown remorse for his actions. He has a qualification in criminology and is considered a well-educated individual with a promising future in his current job. The judge acknowledged the difficulty of the situation for Fitzmaurice and his family, club mates, and colleagues.

Despite the notoriety of the case, Judge Gabbett expressed confidence that Fitzmaurice would not appear in court again except as a state witness. Internal disciplinary proceedings within An Garda Siochana will take place, focusing on reinstating Fitzmaurice to his crime prevention duties.

The victim, Mr Lawal, did not provide a victim impact statement to the court. Fitzmaurice shook hands with Lawal as he left the courtroom. The incident was captured on CCTV and witnessed by others.

State Solicitor for Clare, Aisling Casey, highlighted the victim's desire for acknowledgment and the accused's apology. The court proceedings were closely monitored by the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission (GSOC).