Man was a nuisance to swimmers at Laois tourist spot, court hears
The Catholes swimming spot in Laois
A MAN who was drunk and abusive and caused a nuisance to swimmers at a popular tourist spot in Laois appeared at last week’s sitting of Portlaoise District Court on public order offences.
Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby told Judge Nicola Andrews that at 7.30pm on 31 August last year, gardaí were called to a disturbance that was taking place at the popular swimming location at the Catholes Falls in Ballyfin.
When they arrived on the scene, they found a man in a highly intoxicated state “who kept falling around and causing a nuisance to the people in the area".
Arising from the incident, 26-year-old Iurie Gandrabur, Ruanbeg Drive, Ruanbeg Manor, Co Kildare pleaded guilty to being intoxicated in public and to engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour.
Defending solicitor Barry Fitzgerald said the reason for his client’s behaviour was because “he had a copious amount of whiskey taken during the day and accepts that he was a nuisance at the time”.
Judge Andrews said that if Mr Gandrabur donates €200 to the court poor box that she would strike out the charges. If not, she would convict him of both offences and fine him €500.
