Former Home And Away actor blames ‘gang in blue’ for breaking officer’s nose
After pleading guilty to assaulting two police officers it was thought that a former Home And Away actor would accept his punishment and move on. That was until he held a bizarre impromptu press conference outside court. See the video.
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A former Home And Away actor who broke a female police officer’s nose in a drunken scuffle has blamed the incident on the “gang dressed in blue” and “thug” bouncers.
Irishman Keiren Patrick Noonan was convicted for the act of violence as he was ejected from Cargo Bar at Darling Harbour in May, when he drunkenly assaulted two police officers.
For months the 32-year-old Annandale resident had denied assaulting police in the line of duty, but entered late guilty pleas to two counts before his sentencing at Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday.
During a bizarre interview as he left court, Noonan said he was now a convicted criminal “for something I didn’t really do” – a stain he believed would ruin his acting career.
“It is a disgrace you can’t even go out in the city anymore and enjoy a few drinks with your friends without being harassed by this gang that’s dressed in blue (police) and these bouncers who are stupid thugs,” he said.
“Everything I’ve worked for has been taken away from me.”
He will serve a 12-month community corrections order, during which he must abstain from alcohol, and pay $1250 in fines for assaulting police in the line of duty.
The Cork native took aim at people who had sent him abusing messages online, saying there was a “second side to everybody’s story”.
“I didn’t punch anybody … I wouldn't never punch a woman. I was raised single-handedly by my mother,” he said.
“She was standing behind me, I’m not sure how I could punch somebody if they’re standing behind you.
“Maybe the police in the city need to … get appropriate training.”
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Noonan was also convicted and fined $500 for an unrelated drug possession charge, when he was caught smoking cannabis on Cunningham St, Haymarket on August 23.
Earlier Magistrate Gary Still said the incident amounted to a “reckless assault” on police that was fuelled by drinking.
“Yet again it’s alcohol that explains the matter, but it’s not the excuse for it,” he said.
“I think he understands that now.”
The court heard Noonan had said he “felt slightly bullied” as he was asked to leave the venue, an admission prosecutor Barron found “staggering”.
“He had ample opportunity to leave,” he said. “He was spoken to by security guards and by police.
“As a result we now have a fractured nose of an officer and another other assaulted.”
Noonan moved to Australia in 2013 and worked as an electrician on several major projects including Sydney’s new light rail network before starting part-time acting and landing his “dream job” starring on Summer Bay.
Defence barrister Michael Blair said his client was “very sorry about this whole episode” and that he had “gotten himself into such a mess”.
Police facts state two plain clothes officers observed Noonan refusing to leave the venue about 12.50am on May 26.
Security guards observed he was “unsteady on his feet, his eyes were bloodshot, was struggling to communicate and was emitting a strong smell of alcohol”.
One guard approached him and said: “Mate you have had a lot tonight, you have to leave.”
Noonan replied: “I don’t want to leave”.
Two plain clothes police officers approached Noonan after he had a conversation with the bar’s duty manager and produced their badges.
They found him to be “well affected by alcohol”, according to the facts, and asked him to leave.
“I’m not leaving,” Noonan replied before a scuffle broke out as he was arrested.
During the incident his hand came into contact with the nose of officer Stephanie McIlroy, causing “blood to gush from her nose” and “intense pain”.
The tradie-turned-actor was charged at Day St police station with assaulting police causing actual bodily harm, resisting arrest, offensive language and failing to leave a licensed venue.
The female officer was taken to St Vincent’s Hospital and treated for a broken nose, swelling to the face and sore teeth.