Munster Express Online

A 20-year-old Waterford man, who attacked a judge while on his evening walk in the city, was given a term of three months detention for assault when he appeared in the District Court in Waterford this week.

Wayne Roche with an address at Harbour View, Scotch Quay, pleaded guilty to assaulting Judge David Kennedy of Waterford District Court on March 19, 2009. He was also given six months detention for stealing a hand bag containing cash from the Marina Hotel, Scotch Quay, on September 29 last.

Judge Gerard Haughton said the assault on Judge Kennedy was a random one and had nothing to do with the administration of justice. If the assault had been in that context it would have been a very serious matter.

Garda Inspector Tom Duggan said late in the evening Judge Kennedy went for a walk near his hotel and was approached by the defendant who shouted a lot of abuse at him and hit him on the arm. The Gardai were called to the Scotch Quay area and they found the defendant in a highly intoxicated state. It was a random attack and the Judge suffered no injuries.

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