A garda superintendent was accused of assaulting, threatening and verbally abusing staff at a popular Dublin LGBTQ+ bar. He was later acquitted of all charges and spared a conviction by Judge John Hughes.

According to an article by court reporter Tom Tuite, the case involving Garda Superintendent Gavin O’Reilly relates to an incident that took place in August 2023 at Pennylane pub, a popular queer venue just off Capel Street. The superintendent is accused of assaulting manager Emma Parks and engaging in threatening, abusive, and insulting behaviour.

O’Reilly pleaded not guilty to all charges, and his non-jury trial opened before Judge John Hughes. The judge heard the testimony of Emma Parks, a Pennylane manager at the time, who recalled the incident, saying that off-duty superintendent Gavin O’Reilly was at the bar’s premises with two friends.

The group drew her attention because of the noise they were making, as they were shouting, singing and pulling at each other. Parks said that she continued to observe the three men and notified the door staff to keep an eye on them.

She subsequently asked them to leave the bar and go grab a bite, adding that they would be welcomed back later. The three men finished their drinks and left, heading in the direction of Capel Street.

However, about two minutes later, the manager of the LGBTQ+ bar saw Garda O’Reilly return. That’s when, according to Parks, the man started shouting and became aggressive.

She alleged that he shouted: “You are never going to work again, I’m going to get this f**king place shut down, what’s your name, what’s your f**king name?”

She added that he told her: “You’re f**king done, you are f**king f**ked”, and displayed aggressive body language, such as clenched fists and bared teeth.

Parks said that the man also revealed that he was a Garda. “My name is Gavin O’Reilly and I’m a superintendent,” he allegedly told her.

At that point, a security man from the nearby sister venue Pantibar intervened, saying, “Come on, man, stop”. However, Garda O’Reilly once again reacted aggressively, shouting “Don’t touch me, you black b**tard” to the bouncer.

Parks alleges that he then proceeded to hit her phone out of her hand, swiping downwards. At that point, two security men restrained the accused until Gardaí arrived.

The court also heard evidence from a 999 call Parks made, in which she explained what had taken place with Garda O’Reilly.

At a later hearing on the case, O’Reilly was acquitted of the assault charge as well as of the breach of the peace charge. In delivering the verdict, Judge John Hughes noted that O’Reilly donated €1,000 to a school building charity in Africa.

“Supt O’Reilly has suffered professional difficulties arising from the charge of assault, and no doubt public odium connected to his senior position in An Garda Síochána,” the judge said.

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