A man who viciously attacked a guard, apologised today in Cork Circuit Criminal Court for his behaviour - but then raised his middle finger at the officer when he was jailed.
He was sentenced to four years and nine months in prison.
31-year-old Simon Quilligan of no fixed abode pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to Garda Ken O'Brien on 7th November 2022.
The court heard that Quilligan attacked Garda O'Brien in a hostel on Anglesea Terrace.
Quilligan was being arrested on foot of a bench warrant.
After getting into the back of the patrol car, he soon became extremely aggressive and started shouting and roaring, trying to escape.
Quilligan punched Garda O'Brien into the right side of his face and head and threatened to kill him.
Garda O'Brien was on his own at the time and incapacitant spray had no effect.
Judge Helen Boyle was told that Quilligan was grinding his teeth and foaming at the mouth when he started attacking Garda O'Brien.
The Garda sustained scrawl wounds on his hands and face in the attack.
Eight Gardaí were needed to arrest Quilligan.
Defence barrister, Donal O'Sullivan, said that his client wanted to apologise for his behaviour for which he was "sorry."
Garda O'Brien delivered a victim impact statement in which he said he was diagnosed with concussion and now suffers from extremely frequent and severe headaches and migraineand must attend a consultant neurologist.
Judge Boyle jailed Mr Quilligan for four years and nine months and suspended the final nine months of the sentence.
