Laois man thought he was breaking into IPAS centre
Image for illustration purposes
A MAN who broke into a house in Portlaoise believing it to be used as an IPAS centre but instead was being lived in by Bulgarian workers was remanded on continuing bail when he appeared at the local district court last week.
Owen Lawlor, 25 Oakleaf Place, Knockmay, Portlaoise pleaded guilty to assault with intent to resist or prevent a lawful detention, trespass, criminal damage and with engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour at Coote Street, Portlaoise on 11 October.
Mr Lawlor also pleaded guilty to being intoxicated at the A&E Department of Portlaoise hospital on 31 October.
Garda Shane Meenaghan said: “At 10.50pm on 11 October, gardaí received a call about a man who had entered a premises on Coote Street, believing it to be an IPAS centre. He set off the alarm that made all the people leave the house. He was very intoxicated and belligerent, saying foreigners shouldn’t be in the country.” The garda said that at the time there were eight people in the house, all Bulgarian. He said that while the men did not know what Mr Lawlor was saying, a partner of one could understand what he was saying.
Garda Meenaghan said that while four gardaí were attempting to arrest the defendant, his elbow swung back and broke one of the garda’s glasses, causing €410 worth of damage.
Noting Mr Lawlor’s demeanour in court, garda Meenaghan said: “He appears to be a different man compared to what he was like that night.” Regarding the incident at the A&E department of the hospital, garda sgt JJ Kirby said gardaí were called, where they found the 33-year-old defendant in a drunken state at 2.40am and he had to be arrested for his own safety.
Defending solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said that her client’s actions at the house in Coote Street on the night was “out of character for him. He didn’t mean to cause harm and is very apologetic to the garda.” She said in relation to the incident at the hospital, Mr Lawlor had been there to gain admission and had clearly drunk to excess.” Ms Fitzgerald said that while her client had no compensation with him in court to pay for the damage he caused to the garda’s glasses, given more time he would have.
Judge Susan Fay remanded Mr Lawlor on continuing bail to 15 June and in the meantime instructed him to take part in the , engage with the probation and welfare services and undergo an assessment to determine if he is a suitable candidate to undertake community service.
Judge Fay also ordered that he gather €410 to compensate the garda for breaking her glasses.
