Matthew Coward, a 32-year-old ex-swimming coach who had previously been imprisoned for covertly recording girls while they changed, has managed to avoid an additional jail term despite being charged with a “alarming” and “unwarranted” assault on an RTÉ cameraman outside a courthouse. Previously residing at Shantalla Drive in Santry, Coward was sentenced to three years in jail in November as a result of investigations by the Garda into his actions at a swimming facility.
In a Dublin District Court, presided over via video-link on a Wednesday, Coward pleaded guilty to the assault of Micheál Mac Suibhne on the 22nd of December, 2022. The confrontation occurred when Coward, out on bail at the time, was exiting a session at the Criminal Courts of Justice (CCJ).
The presiding Judge, Michele Finan, issued a subsequent four-month sentence. However, it was suspended on the condition that Coward not commit any further crimes for a year following his release in 2026.
The Garda witness, Chris Maguire, reported to Judge Finan that Mr. Mac Suibhne was assaulted as he trailed and filmed Coward while he was leaving a CCJ hearing and heading along Infirmary Road. Coward reportedly struck Mr Mac Suibhne twice with his shoulder, making him lose balance and collide with a tree. Although he did not fall over, his camera was dropped.
Mr. Mac Suibhne, in a victim impact statement, shared how the incident was a first during his 36-year-long career. He noted that since the Covid-19 pandemic began, camera crews have increasingly fallen victim to abuse and unnecessary aggression. Describing the occurrence as ‘frightening, unnecessary, damaging’, Mr. Mac Suibhne detailed the ordeal of recounting the incident publicly. He also admitted that he felt as though he was about to meet his end when Coward attempted to send him sprawling into the path of moving traffic on Infirmary Road during that fateful December morning.
He voiced that Coward’s behaviour had inflicted him with fear for an extended period, disrupting a family Christmas due to the depression, irritability and forgetfulness that ensued. Yet, he harboured no resentment towards Coward, proposing a suspended sentence.
Expressing gratitude to Mr. Mac Suibhne for his articulate and empathetic testimony, Judge Finan noted that Coward’s hostile actions towards a media representative encapsulated societal attitudes while they were merely carrying out their duties.