Serial offender who assaulted woman and spat at Gardaí in Longford receives prison sentence

A serial offender, who assaulted a woman, stole three sets of car keys from a taxi office and spat at Gardaí on different dates last year, has been jailed for 11-months.

John Delaney of 82 St Laurences Fields, Loughrea, county Galway pleaded guilty to multiple offences that occurred in Longford town in 2024.

"Subsequent to that [at the premises next door] the injured party, reported the same male had gained entry by force using the vice grips to his taxi office and three sets of car keys were missing from the locked safe which was also bust open," the court presenter added.

Sgt Daly said the defendant was identified and following a search on him by Gardaí three sets of car keys were recovered.

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The court also heard about another incident shortly after 12-midnight on August 8, 2024 at St Michael's Road when there was an allegation of an assault against the defendant.

Sgt Daly said there was a cut to the woman's hand and an ambulance was called.

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"On arrival at the scene Gardaí spoke to a man they knew to be John Delaney on St Michael's Road, he became aggressive and he continued to resist arrest," he added.

Sgt Daly said Garda Cathal Slattery arrested the defendant for a public order offence and he was placed in the patrol car.

"A patrol van was called as assistance and while waiting for it Mr Delaney continued to be aggressive with continuous spitting on Garda Slattery and Garda Shiel," he added.

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The court heard Garda Susan Keane and Garda Aaron Duffy arrived and the defendant was moved from the patrol car to the patrol van, but he continued to resist arrest.

He said Garda Keane and Garda Duffy brought Mr Delaney to Longford Garda Station where he refused to give details and he again resisted arrest and spat at them when being brought to the cell area.

The defendant had 115 previous convictions and he is serving a sentence for an unrelated matter until January 2, 2026.

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Solicitor John Quinn said his client has addiction problems and he is taking time during his custodial sentence to deal with those.

"He hopes to come out clean and leave these difficulties behind him for the sake of himself, his wife and his young children," he added.

Judge Bernadette Owens noted Mr Delaney had a "very significant amount" of relevant previous convictions.

She imposed a 16-month sentence and she suspended the final five months for 12-months on condition that he engages with the probation services and he follows all of their directions.

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