Overview of the incident
A court heard that two Gardaí were injured as they responded to a report of a green laser being shone into a house during a neighbour dispute in Trim. The incident occurred on the night of 29 August last year, when a beam from a laser pointer was directed at the home of Tracey King and her partner, Brian McEntee, in what is described as a long-running dispute with their neighbour, Gillian Kennedy of Marshallstown, Kilmessan.
What happened on the night
According to evidence presented in Trim District Court, the laser beam entered Miss King and Mr McEntee’s home, hitting them and causing blurred vision and disorientation for a few days. Garda Munnelly and Garda Crehan responded to the scene and observed the laser being directed from Gillian Kennedy’s home. When the officers approached, the laser stopped, but events escalated when they attempted to obtain the device from Kennedy.
Injuries to Gardaí
As the Gardaí attempted to recover the laser, Kennedy allegedly shone the laser into their eyes. Garda Munnelly’s torch also fell through the window, and Kennedy reportedly grabbed it, striking his arm as she moved to close the window. The incident led to injuries that required hospital treatment for one of the Gardaí and caused concern for the other officer involved.
The court case
Gillian Kennedy, a 51-year-old IT worker from Marshallstown, Kilmessan, appeared in court charged with assaulting two neighbours and the two Gardaí with the laser beam. Kennedy denied the charges, but Judge Eirinn McKiernan convicted her on all four counts after hearing evidence and testimonies, including video footage of the confrontation.
Following the conviction, Kennedy’s barrister, Niall Gallagher, indicated that the defendant had issued a full apology to all four victims and expressed remorse for the injuries sustained by the Gardaí. Judge McKiernan noted that the behaviour was unacceptable and could not be tolerated, stating the impact of the incident extended beyond the immediate parties involved.
Context and defence
In her defence, Kennedy claimed to have been subjected to eight years of harassment, stalking, and coercive behaviour, arguing that she had only a laser pointer on or around her own property and denying intent to target the Gardaí or the neighbours. She also asserted that she was not intoxicated, but upset at the time. The court heard that Kennedy’s actions were part of a broader dispute over planning and boundary issues with neighbours.
Next steps
Judge McKiernan adjourned the case to 13 November to obtain a Probation Service report, which will likely inform any sentencing decisions. The court’s interim decision to request the probation assessment reflects the seriousness of the incidents and the need to consider broader factors, including Kennedy’s background and potential for rehabilitation.
Impact on the community
Neighbors Tracey King and her partner Brian McEntee described the vulnerability they felt during the incident, including concerns about vision and safety in their own home. Local residents are watching how the case proceeds, particularly as it touches on issues of boundary disputes, harassment, and the responsible use of technology like lasers in domestic disputes.
