Laois man urinated in a supermarket trolley bay
Image for illustration purposes
JUDGE John Brennan praised a member of the public who phoned gardaí to report a man who was seen driving while drunk.
Outlining the evidence at last week’s sitting of Portlaoise District Court, Sergeant JJ Kirby said that at 3.45pm on 16 March last, a man was seen driving on the wrong side of the road and into the SuperValu car park on Pound Street, Rathdowney.
Having almost collided with a wall, the driver got out of his car and urinated in the trolley bay.
When gardaí arrived at the scene, the accused was found to have been driving without insurance or a driving licence.
Sgt Kirby said that on 14 November last, while gardaí were on duty in Borris-in-Ossory, "they received a call from a Good Samaritan, who informed them that they had seen the defendant drink-driving".
When the man was arrested and tested, he returned a reading of 248mg of alcohol per 100ml of urine.
He was also found to be driving while uninsured and without a licence.
Arising from both incidents, Peter Butler, Castle Avenue, Borris-in-Ossory pleaded guilty to the offences.
The court heard that the 51-year-old defendant had 11 previous convictions.
Defending solicitor Barry Fitzgerald said that his client “was dealing with a separation at the time and was using alcohol as a crutch and was in a state of freefall".
The solicitor said: "He was drinking heavily at the time and wasn’t in a fit state of mind”.
Judge Brennan said that while he appreciated the issues Mr Butler was going through at the time, he viewed the offences as serious.
He added: “I also want to praise the good citizen who contacted the gardaí.”
Judge Brennan convicted Mr Butler of having no insurance on 13 March, imposed a €100 fine and disqualified him from driving for four years.
He took the charges of driving without a licence and of criminal damage into consideration.
For drink-driving on 14 November, Mr Butler was fined €100 and disqualified from driving for three years.
The other two offences were taken into consideration.
Recognisances were fixed for appeal purposes.
