Jury agreed majority verdict after four-and-a-half hours of deliberation in the civil trial of Det Supt Rory Sheriff

Fri, 06 Feb, 2026 – 20:47

Ann O’Loughlin

A jury has found that a Detective Superintendent used reasonable force when executing the arrest of a former Garda whom he struck over the head with his baton after an “extreme” high-speed car chase in rural Wexford in 2014.

It was the second civil trial of Det Supt Rory Sheriff in four months after a civil jury failed to reach a conclusion last November.

Just after 6.30pm on Friday at the High Court, the jury found that 6ft 8in Det Supt Sheriff used reasonable force in executing the arrest of ex-Garda John Bowe, aged 41, in apprehending him in a field outside of Bunclody, Co Wexford.

The civil trial jury told the court through the foreperson that they had agreed a majority verdict after four-and-a-half hours of deliberation of the eight-day case.

The High Court case was brought by ex-Garda Mr Bowe, who was arrested following the chase outside Bunclody, Co Wexford, on December 5, 2014. 

Mr Bowe, of Coolnaleen, Camolin, Enniscorthy, was subsequently convicted of dangerous driving.

Mr Bowe brought the action submitting he sustained his alleged injuries after Det Supt Sheriff, then a sergeant at Enniscorthy Garda station, struck Mr Bowe over the head with a retractable baton following the 20-minute car chase through rural parts of Co Wexford.

It was Mr Bowe’s case that Det Supt Sheriff wrongfully and violently struck him. 

Mr Bowe claimed that arising from alleged injuries sustained, he was diagnosed with “functional neurological disorder”.

The claim was denied.

Det Supt Sheriff did not deny that he struck Mr Bowe but submitted his actions were “proportionate and justified” following what he described as the most “extreme and dangerous driving” he ever witnessed.

When confirming the verdict, Mr Justice O’Higgins awarded costs to Det Supt Sheriff’s legal team for both trials but put a stay on the award pending any appeal.