Laois court judge jails man who told gardaí to ‘f**k off’
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A 61-YEAR-old man called gardaí ‘bastards’ an told them to ‘f**k off’ when they found him drunk with two bottles of whiskey in a public park.
He was sentenced to one month in prison when he came before Portlaoise District Court for being intoxicated in a public place and for engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour on 22 October at Tullamore Town Park.
The court heard that gardaí responded to a call about an intoxicated man in the park. When they arrived, they saw Eamon Carroll of no fixed abode with two bottles of whiskey. He called gardaí ‘bastards’ and told them to ‘f**k off.’ When arrested and placed in the patrol car, he became aggressive and had to be placed in a cell in the garda station.
The court was told that the defendant had nine previous convictions.
Solicitor for Mr Carroll, Philip Meagher, said that his client was pleading guilty to the offences.
He said: “It’s a sad situation. He was a qualified, respected plumber up to a number of years ago. He separated from his family. He was homeless for a while. Due to a fire officer closing a hostel down, he had been living in the town park in Tullamore off and on.” Mr Meagher said: “I contacted Simon Community on his behalf (for accommodation) and they told me his first point of contact should be with Offaly Co Council. His present living conditions are wholly dangerous. He admits that he was highly intoxicated at the time. When he’s not drunk, he is ok.” The court heard that Mr Carroll is due back before Tullamore court on other matters in January.
Mr Meagher said that his client “is extremely concerned at going into custody.” Judge Andrew Cody convicted Mr Carroll of engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour and imposed a one-month sentence and took the other matter into account.
He went on to grant free legal aid and fixed recognisance in the event Mr Carroll wished to appeal the sentence.
