Inmate injured prison officer

A MAN injured a prison officer while attempting to attack a fellow inmate with warm water, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court has heard.

Shane O’Connor (34), of Glean na Hearne, Tallaght, pleaded guilty to production of an article at Mountjoy Prison on September 25, 2013.

Garda David Smith told the court that prison officer Leon Maguire was visiting cells to refill jugs of hot water which the prisoners used to make tea.

When he opened O’Connor’s cell and began to fill his jug with water, O’Connor rushed past him and attempted to throw the water at another prisoner, Keith Hughes, with whom he had a history of disagreement.

Mr Maguire tried to restrain O’Connor and was struck on the forehead with the water jug. O’Connor’s cellmate also rushed out of the cell and both were restrained by prison officers who came to Mr Maguire’s aid.

Mr Maguire was treated in the Mater Hospital for a laceration to his forehead and received one stitch.

O’Connor was serving a four-year jail term for robbery. He has since been released. He has 29 previous convictions including assault causing harm, criminal damage, possession of knives, robbery and theft.

Gda Smith agreed with Elva Duffy BL, defending, that the water thrown by O’Connor was “tepid”. He also agreed that Mr Maguire told a prison hearing that O’Connor had not set out to assault him.

The court heard O’Connor was undergoing drug rehabilitation at Tiglin Centre and Gda Smith confirmed that he was currently adhering to the conditions of his treatment.

Judge Patricia Ryan adjourned the matter until January 2016 for the preparation of a probation report.

Declan Conlon