Laois man arrested on Christmas night vomited in garda station holding cell
Image for illustration purposes Photo: Courtesy The Irish Times
A MAN who was so drunk on Christmas night, unable to stand and who wanted to fight had to be arrested. While in custody, he got sick in the holding cell.
Giving evidence in the case at last week’s sitting of the district court in Portlaoise, garda Sgt JJ Kirby said that at 10pm on Christmas night, gardaí received a report of a highly intoxicated man who was unable to stand up on his feet and was looking for a fight from passers-by. When gardaí arrived at the scene, he became abuse and aggressive towards them and had to be arrested and brought to Abbeyleix Garda Station.
Sgt Kirby said the defendant was searched and €20 worth of cocaine was found in one of his socks. Later that night, he vomited in the cell and it cost €300 to have it cleaned up after him.
He said the accused had three previous convictions but had not come to garda attention for ten years until that night.
Arising from the incident, Shane Fitzgerald (41) from Greenview, Mountmellick Road, Portlaoise pleaded guilty to engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, being intoxicated in a public place and to criminal damage at Abbeyleix Garda Station at the time.
Defending solicitor Barry Fitzgerald said his client had been drinking for most of Christmas Day and was at a house party, where he “had a disagreement with his partner. He had been drinking to access and acknowledges that he made a nuisance of himself.” Mr Fitzgerald said that his client was willing to donate €200 to a charity and had €120 of that with him in court and would be able to donate the remainder if given time.
Judge Susan Fay said: “Nobody is very excited to be working on Christmas night in a garda station. Nobody is excited to have to come to a garda station to clean up vomit on Christmas night.” She remanded Mr Fitzgerald on continuing bail to 22 June and instructed that he take part in the and have €80 with him when he returns to court.
She went on to grant free legal aid.
