Superintendent Defends Baton Strike on Former Garda After High-Speed Chase, Calling Action “Proportionate and Justified”

Dublin: A 6’8” Garda Superintendent has told the High Court that his decision to strike a former Garda with a baton “at full force” was both “proportionate and justified”, following what he described as the most “extreme and dangerous” driving he had ever witnessed during a high-speed pursuit in County Wexford.

The incident occurred on December 5, 2014, near Bunclody, when John Bowe (41), of Coolnaleen, Camolin, Enniscorthy, attempted to evade a Garda checkpoint. Mr Bowe, a former Garda officer, was later convicted on multiple counts of dangerous driving related to the chase, which reached speeds exceeding 140 km/h.

Mr Bowe subsequently filed a High Court action against Superintendent Rory Sheriff, the Garda Commissioner, the Attorney General, and the State, claiming that Supt Sheriff—then a sergeant at the time—wrongfully and violently struck him on the head with a retractable baton after the chase ended. He alleges that the blow left him with a functional neurological disorder. All claims have been denied.

Testifying before a jury of six men and six women, Supt Sheriff recounted pursuing Mr Bowe on foot through a field after the lengthy car chase. He stated that he shouted “Stop! Gardaí!” before Mr Bowe turned toward him with what appeared to be a metallic object in his hand and lunged forward. Believing that the object was a knife, and fearing for his safety after being warned by a colleague that the suspect might be armed, Sheriff said he swung his baton “with full force, as hard as I could hit him.”

The metallic object later turned out to be a set of keys with two bottle openers attached. The superintendent told the court that he had aimed for Mr Bowe’s torso, but that the blow landed on his head after the plaintiff “lunged low” during the confrontation.

Upon arrest, Mr Bowe was described as lucid and conscious, apologizing and identifying himself as a former Garda. He reportedly told officers he had consumed “four pints” while celebrating his 30th birthday and panicked when he realized his vehicle was untaxed, prompting him to flee the checkpoint. He was later taken for medical assessment but left the facility without receiving treatment.

The checkpoint that night had been established following reports of a burglary involving an Audi, and although Mr Bowe was driving an Audi, Supt Sheriff conceded that the plaintiff was not involved in that crime. The chase, however, caused multiple near collisions, forced two civilian cars to take evasive action, and saw a Garda patrol car veer into a ditch, while bystanders at a pub reportedly fled in fear. “It was the most extreme example of dangerous driving I have ever witnessed,” the Superintendent told the court.

During cross-examination by Mark Harty SC, counsel for Mr Bowe, Supt Sheriff confirmed his height at 6’8” and Mr Bowe’s at approximately 5’8”. He maintained that his intention was to disable, not injure, the suspect. When asked if he regretted his actions, the Superintendent replied, “I regret that Mr Bowe endangered the life of my colleague, myself, and the public. I have no regrets in respect of my actions on the night. I acted within policy at all times. The action was proportionate and justified.”

Both sides are expected to deliver closing arguments tomorrow, after which Mr Justice Micheál O’Higgins will charge the jury before deliberations begin.