A judge has jailed well known anti-vaccer activist, Antonio Mureddu (47) for two years and eight months for the motorway assault of a Garda Sergeant three years ago.
At Ennis Circuit Court on Thursday, Judge Francis Comerford imposed the 32 month prison term on businessman, Mr Murredu for the assault on Sgt James Hanley at the slip way on exit 13 at Knockanean, Ennis off the M18 Limerick to Galway motorway on August 10th 2021.
In court, Sgt Hanley in his victim impact statement stated: “I genuinely believe that the defendant sought to take my life on August 10th 2021 – or at the very least cause me serious harm.”
He said: “He did not succeed thanks to the actions of the Good Samaritans who came to my aid. I wish to express my gratitude and appreciation to them.”
Sgt Hanley was off work for 233 days as a result of injuries sustained in the assault and he told the court “the impact of the defendant’s actions in assaulting me cannot be overstated, both professionally and personally”.
He said: “I take great pride in my profession and I consider it a privilege to be able to continue serving as I have done for the last 17 years.”
Dramatic Garda dash cam footage shown to the court showed Mr Mureddu sweeping Sgt Hanley with a leg movement to the ground on the slip way and putting him in a choke hold where Sgt Hanley was losing consciousness.
Sgt Hanley tried to access the emergency channel on his Tetra radio to call for Garda assistance but was prevented from doing so by Mr Mureddu who took possession of it and placed it out of reach.
The footage shows six other motorists – three men and three women – come to the aid of Sgt Hanley and Judge Comerford said that the motorists effectively apprehended Mr Mureddu until other Gardai arrived.
Judge Comerford said that the intervention of the passers-by underlines the respect the community has for Gardai.
Sgt Mark Murphy said that one witness believed that Sgt Hanley was suffering a heart attack as he was breathless on the ground and losing consciousness.
Another said that Sgt Hanley was distressed with blood on his face and hands. A private LifeLine ambulance came upon the scene and brought Sgt Hanley to University Hospital Limerick for treatment. The ‘Good Samaritans’ put Sgt Hanley into the recovery position until assistance arrived.
The assault took place at around 6.30pm after a high speed car chase on the M18 near Ennis where Sgt Hanley clocked Mr Mureddu’s red Alfa Romeo going at a speed of 174km at Crusheen heading south towards Limerick
One eye witness described Mr Mureddu’s car travelling “like a bullet” and in pursuit, Sgt Hanley’s Garda patrol car reached a speed of 204kmph.
In evidence, Sgt Mark Murphy said that Mr Mureddu Alfa Romeo braked suddenly a number of times and after exiting the motorway stopped his car on the Knockanean slipway.
Sgt Hanley – who was by himself on patrol – got out of his Garda car and pushed at Mr Murredu as the Italian national walked towards him.
Sgt Murphy said that Sgt Hanley did this for his own personal safety and counsel for Mr Murredu, Patrick Barriscale BL (instructed by solicitor, Colum Doherty) said that his client then over-reacted when putting Sgt Hanley to the ground and placing him in a choke-hold.
Mr Barriscale said that Mr Murredu did this as he was concerned for his own safety.
Mr Mureddu had prior to the assault only two previous convictions for motoring offences.
Mr Barriscale told the court that the Italian national came to Ireland in 2006 and has operated restaurants at Tuam, Limerick and most recently Headford in Co Galway.
Mr Barriscale said that at Garda interview after the assault, he expressed regret for his actions and said that he wanted to apologise to Sgt Hanley.
Along with pleading guilty to the assault charge on Sgt Hanley, Mr Mureddu also pleaded guilty to a dangerous driving charge and Judge Comerford imposed a three year driving ban for that offence.
Judge Comerford backdated Mr Mureddu’s prison term to March 12th when he was initially brought into custody.
