Portlaoise Court: Man with 277 previous convictions harassed customers and abused local bar staff
Portlaoise Courthouse
A JUDGE told a man who expressed a desire to tackle his addiction that she would give him an opportunity “to put his money where his mouth is.” The opportunity arose for Wayne McCory (33), the Good Shepherd Hostel, Church Lane, Kilkenny when he appeared at last week’s sitting of Portlaoise District Court, where he pleaded guilty to engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, being intoxicated in a public place and to obstructing gardaí in the execution of their duty at Ramsbottom’s, 101 Main Street, Portlaoise on 6 May.
Garda Sgt Kirby said that on the night at 9.30pm, gardaí were called to a disturbance in the public house after receiving reports of a man aggressively harassing customers for money and abusing bar staff.
He said in one incident the defendant threatened one of the staff that if he didn’t give him money that he would return and “f**k him up.” When gardaí arrived at the scene, Mr McCory ran off and was eventually caught, handcuffed and arrested.
Sgt Kirby said the defendant has 277 previous convictions.
He said Ramsbottom’s is a long-established and respected premises in the town that is very well run “and it wasn’t their fault that this happened.” The defending barrister said that his client is currently serving a custodial sentence and is due for release in November.
He said that Mr McCory “is a gentleman that struggles with life and has addiction issues. While in custody, he is engaging with all the services that has been offered to him.”
“What’s going to change that hasn’t already changed,” asked Judge Fay.
“He’s been in custody before and has come out like this.” “He’s quite anxious that on his release to enter rehabilitation,” said the barrister.
Judge Fay said: “I’ll give him an opportunity to put his money where his mouth is. I’m going to remand him on continuing bail to 15 March next year. On that date, I want an update on his efforts at securing rehabilitation. I also want a probation report, a Restorative Justice report and a community service order assessment report.”
Judge Fay said that he will be remanded on conditions that he signs on at a local garda station three days a week, obeys a 10pm to 7am daily curfew, provides gardaí with a mobile phone number where he can be always contacted and stays out of Portlaoise, except for court dates.
At the request of Mr Madden, Judge Fay said that the signing-on condition at the garda station would be relaxed if Mr McCory is in rehabilitation.
