A former garda who reluctantly retired from the force because of injuries he suffered when assaulted while working, has been awarded almost €200,000 in damages in the High Court.Mr Justice Bernard Barton said Peter Maguire was on duty in a patrol car with a colleague in September 2005 at Owenabue car park, Carrigaline, Co Cork, when he noticed a man roaring, shouting and making abusive gestures at them.The judge said Mr Maguire, who sued the Minister for Finance under a Garda Compensation claim, decided to arrest the man for public order offences but he resisted his arrest and assaulted both officers.The assailant hit Mr Maguire several times on his chest before throwing him against the patrol car and then to the ground where the struggle continued.The judge said it took three gardaí to arrest the man who was later brought to Togher Garda station where he threatened Mr Maguire. The assailant was later charged with several public order offences to which he pleaded guilty.
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