€1.1m Awarded To Carlow Man Over Wrongful Arrest

34 year old Gerald Jennings sued the Garda Commissioner and the State over his wrongful arrest on the 2nd of December 2012 in Carlow town.

The court was told another man, 26-year-old Colvin Keogh from the Paddocks in Carlow, was subsequently jailed for seven years for the assault.

The State said reasonable force was used to detain Mr Jennings, who resisted arrest.

However the jury found the actions of gardaí during the arrest were not reasonably necessary and that his detention was unlawful.

The jury awarded general damages of over €819,000 and exemplary damages of €333,000.

A stay on the award was granted in the event of an appeal on condition that €150,000 is paid to Mr Jennings.