'Extraordinary regret' Man appears in court after kicking Longford female garda in stomach

A father of two, who said he has 'extraordinary regret' over kicking a female garda in the stomach while he was resisting arrest, will be assessed by the probation services and may face a community service sentence.

Evaldus Palijanskas (39) of The Mill, Clondra, Longford pleaded guilty recently at the local district court to assault, possession of a knife and public disorder at Ardnacassa, Longford on December 20, 2024.

Sergeant Mark Mahon, for the State, said that gardaí stopped a vehicle at Springlawn estate at 11am on the day in question and they spoke to a passenger, who was the defendant.

"He got out of the vehicle and he appeared to be highly intoxicated and unsteady on his feet and he was arrested for a public order offense.

"When he was taken to the station a search was carried out on him and they discovered a large kitchen knife on his person, in the pocket of his hoodie.

"While placing him in the back of the patrol car after they searched him he became extremely aggressive and violent and he kicked Garda Burke in the stomach while she was in the seated position causing her to be forced backwards."

Sgt Mahon said the defendant was subsequently arrested and charged with the three offences.

The court heard Mr Palijanskas had 19 previous convictions.

Solicitor Frank Gearty, defending, said his client has been battling an alcohol and drugs addiction problem.

"It is a matter of great regret that he lashed out as he was being arrested and put into the patrol car.

"He was resisting arrest and that is in itself is [unfortunate] but it was not his intention to connect with Garda Burke.

"He is extremely sorry that it happened and he regrets that and he would like to think that his previous record, while it is patchy to say the least, didn't include anything like that."

Mr Gearty said his client had been given the knife by a friend, he worked in a garage.

"He put on his work clothes, he had the knife in his pocket and in his intoxication he had forgotten all about it."

Judge Bernadette Owens said she expected a better explanation.

Mr Gearty insisted there was no question it should not have been in his possession.

"In relation to the intoxication and there quite a number of Garda cars involved in this apprehension he reacted in a panicky way and resisted the arrest and there was a scuffle as he was put into the squad car.

"It is a matter of extraordinary regret that he connected with Garda Burke."

Mr Gearty said since the incident Mr Palijanskas has completed an addiction treatment program and he had brought a €250 'token payment' to highlight his remorse.

Judge Owens noted the defendant's guilty plea and she directed a probation report be compiled in tandem with a community service assessment and she ordered Mr Palijanskas to bring a further €500 to court on the next date before adjourning the case until March 10, 2026.

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