Portlaoise Court: Man called garda a ‘cheeky f**k’

WHEN gardaí responded to an emergency 999 callout, they were met by a man who told them to “f**k off, go back to the zoo” and “f**k you.” 

“He gave the gardaí awful abuse,” said Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby when Anthony Scannell (40) from Lakevale, Ballydesmond, Mallow, Co Cork came before Portlaoise District Court on public order offences.

He pleaded guilty to being intoxicated in public and to engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour.

Sgt. Kirby said that a 999 call was received by gardaí about an incident taking place at Kellyville Park, off Lyster Square in Portlaoise, on 23 January.

“When gardaí arrived, Mr Scannell gave them awful abuse, told them to “f**k off, go back to the zoo” and “f**k you. It wasn’t a nice way to talk to anyone.” 

He said that the defendant had 55 previous offences.

Defending solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said that some of her client’s previous convictions were under the Public Order Act and that he has an issue with alcohol.

She said: “When Mr Scannell is abstaining from alcohol, he loses himself in work. He self-rehabilitates through working. He didn’t mean to be in Portlaoise on the day.” 

“It was an appalling way to speak to anybody. You shouted f**k you, you cheeky f**k,” said Judge Susan Fay, who went on to convict Mr Scannell of engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, imposed a two-month sentence, which she suspended for two years and took the other charge into consideration.