Laois man was directing rush-hour traffic and ran into nearby church
Portlaoise Courthouse
WHEN a man who was standing in the middle of a roadway in Portlaoise directing rush-hour traffic saw gardaí approaching, he took off and ran into a nearby church.
The strange incident was relayed by garda sgt JJ Kirby at Portlaoise District Court last week when he said: “At 6.04pm on 19 January, gardaí received a call about a man outside St Peter and Paul’s church standing in the middle of the road in rush-hour traffic trying to direct it. When gardaí approached to try and speak with him, he ran into the church, where he had to be arrested.” Arising from the incident, Stephen Malone (54) from Buttercup Avenue, Esker Hills, Portlaoise pleaded guilty to being intoxicated in public and to engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour on Dublin Road, Portlaoise at the time.
Sgt Kirby said the defendant had seven previous convictions.
Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said that her client had been 17 months drink-free and around Christmas time got upset about events taking place in America, where he had family living and went on the drink.
She said that when Mr Malone lived in England “he used to do a bit of traffic directing. He felt the traffic in Portlaoise needed directing on the day. When the gardaí arrived, he ran into the church and didn’t like being arrested. He is not proud of his actions and has been attending alcohol support meetings.” Judge Susan Fay told Mr Malone: “It’s either community service or prison” before remanding him on continuing bail to 15 June to allow time for him to undergo a community service assessment.
Judge Fay said if he was deemed a suitable candidate for community service and he was willing to take part, she would consider imposing 60 hours in lieu of two months in prison.”
