Laois man evicted from Electric Picnic caused public order offences on Main Street Stradbally
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A Laois man who was evicted from last year’s Electric Picnic by security staff over an issue with his wristband caused public order offences on Main Street in Stradbally.
Garda sgt JJ Kirby was giving evidence at last week’s district court sitting in Portlaoise and said that at 1.50am on 31 August, the defendant, Matthew Callaghan from Hawthorn Drive, Portlaoise, “was evicted from the Electric Picnic. He stumbled out onto Main Street shouting, roaring and was aggressive. It was a breach of the peace. He had to be arrested for his own safety.” Sgt Kirby said the 36-year-old defendant had three previous “and very old convictions” and described him “as a very hard worker.” Mr Callaghan pleaded guilty to being intoxicated in a public place and to engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour at the time.
Defending solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said that her self-employed client “was not proud of appearing before the court. He spent the night in the garda station. Once he sobered up, he realised it was not a place that he should have been in. It was entirely out of character and he is extremely sorry for his behaviour.” Judge Susan Fay said that gardaí have enough to be doing, particularly over the Electric Picnic weekend, without having to deal with people like Mr Callaghan.
She convicted him of engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, fined him €500 and took the other matter into consideration.
She fixed recognisance in the event of an appeal.
