Dublin mother fined and sentenced for biting Garda

A Dublin mother has avoided jail after being convicted of biting a police officer during a search operation. Bernadette Flood, 59, was given a three-month suspended sentence and ordered to pay a €1,000 fine. The incident occurred on May 6, 2024, when police had a warrant to search her home. Officers described a tense situation as they entered and tried to calm the occupants in the living room. Flood was reportedly shouting and waving a cigarette at the officers. When one officer reached out to her, she bit down on his wrist. The officer, Garda Eoin Grant, testified that he felt her teeth and that the bite left a mark. Another officer witnessed the event as well. After the incident, Flood expressed regret to officers, saying she didn't mean to bite him and was just "worked up." Flood's defense argued that she was not violent and was concerned about a person with health issues present during the search. Her husband supported her claims, saying she is not aggressive and was frightened during the encounter. However, the judge found her guilty, rejecting the defense's arguments.