A thug who attacked a garda also threatened to burn down his house and rape his wife, a court heard on Wednesday.

Sgt Aodhan O Flaithearta claimed he felt like a prisoner in his own home after suffering three broken teeth in a violent assault with a knuckleduster while on patrol duty.

Tullamore Circuit Criminal Court was told the officer had been unable to work for more than three years as a result of catastrophic injuries he suffered when attacked by Keith McDonagh as he tried to arrest the defendant’s father.

The 22-year-old, of Highfield Meadows in Portlaoise, Co Laois, was convicted in December of assaulting a police officer and threatening to kill him during an incident at Colliers Lane in the town three years earlier.

The trial heard McDonagh had also threatened to burn down Sgt O Flaithearta’s home and rape his wife to “see how tough you are then”.

Tullamore District Court

Judge Keenan Johnson adjourned sentencing to allow for the preparation of a probation report but warned the separated father of one he was facing a “significant custodial sentence”.

The court was told Sgt O Flaithearta, stationed in Thurles, Co Tipperary, had declined to accept a letter of apology and offer of compensation from McDonagh. In a victim impact statement, he said he had been assessed as suffering from severe post-traumatic stress disorder.

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He stated that “for two years I was a prisoner in my own home”, adding his family’s Christmases had been “ruined”.

Defence lawyer Damien Colgan said McDonagh had not intended to cause harm to Sgt O Flaithearta and was remorseful for his actions.

He was remanded in custody for sentencing in two weeks’ time.