Dungloe man jailed for 18-months for assaulting two gardai

A 29-year-old man who admitted assaulting two gardai and causing them harm when he was stopped drink-driving has been jailed for 18 months for the offences.
Philip Melly, of Caravan Rd, Dungloe, was also given a concurrent three months sentence and banned for six years for drink-driving at Doochary on September 1st, 2008.
Donegal Circuit Court heard that Melly was stopped a half-hour after midnight. He had a very negative attitude to gardai, and gardai Brendan McCann and David Mulkearns were forced to draw their batons and a violent struggle ensued.
Garda Mulkearns sustained an injury to a middle finger and Melly held his hands around Gda McCann’s neck for a minute and a half. Gda McCann had to attend the doctor for throat injuries.
Melly was more than twice over the drink-drive limit at the time of the offences.
Judge John O’Hagan heard Melly had served prison sentences, and was already banned for five years.