A garda has been convicted of assaulting a teenager in Temple Bar four years ago.

32-year-oldd Lorcan Murphy of Pearse Street Garda Station had pleaded not guilty to two counts of assault causing harm to a 17-year-old at Essex Street in Dublin 2 and at the garda station in June 2021.

The incident that led to this conviction took place on the evening of 1 June, 2021, while Covid-19 restrictions were in place. These restrictions allowed limited gatherings outdoors.

Some teenagers were gathered in an area around Essex Street and the court was told they were approached by two gardaí.

Prosecuting counsel, John Gallagher told the jury an issue in the case was whether the level of force used by Garda Lorcan Murphy in his interactions with a 17-year-old boy was reasonable.

The court heard no issue was taken with the boy’s initial arrest. But Mr Gallagher said Garda Murphy swept the boy’s legs from under him while he was handcuffed and brought him to the ground. The boy hit his head on the ground and was later transferred to Beaumont Hospital where he stayed for five days receiving treatment for a fractured skull.