Laois man threw punches at bar staff in local pub
Portlaoise Courthouse
A LAOIS man who threw a few punches at staff of a public house, but failed to connect, was given a two-month suspended sentence at Portlaoise District Court.
Garda Sgt JJ Kirby told the court that gardaí were called to a disturbance at the After Dark Bar on Main Street, Portarlington at 9pm on 16 December 2024.
There, they were met by staff who told them that a man threw a few punches at them but did not connect.
He said gardaí instructed the man to leave the area, but he began abusing them and had to be pepper sprayed and arrested.
Defending barrister Barry Fitzgerald said that his client, Mark Gallagher (41), 55 St Brigid’s Square, Portarlington was pleading guilty to being intoxicated in a public place, engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour and to failing to comply with the directions of a garda.
Mr Fitzgerald pointed out that while the evidence given was that his client had thrown a few punches, none had connected and he is not charged with assault.
He said his client “had addiction issues at the time but is doing a lot better now. He was in addiction for about 15 years. He became the black sheep of the family over his addiction.” Judge Susan Fay convicted Mr Gallagher of engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour and imposed a two-month sentence, which she suspended for two years.
She took the other two charges into consideration.
