Laois man ‘opened trousers to excess’ while being searched by gardaí

A LOCAL man who ‘opened his trousers to excess’ while being searched by gardaí was charged with engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour.

Paul O’Shea (40), Mell Street, Kilminchy, Portlaoise pleaded guilty at the local district court last week to the offence that took place on Church Avenue, Portlaoise on 2 August.

Garda Sgt Kirby said that at 4.30pm when told by gardaí that he was going to be searched, Mr O’Shea pulled down his trousers in front of people and became agitated.

“While he is well-known to the court,” said Sgt Kirby, “in the recent past he has not been too bad.” Solicitoir for the accused Josephine Fitzpatrick said that while her client had a drug issue, on the day, he knew that gardaí would not find anything illegal in his possession.

“When ordered by gardaí to open his clothes, he opened his trousers in excess, such was his annoyance. The search took place off the Main street and it was not busy with people around. He’s sorry for acting in the manner he did. He knew the search was going to be negative and it was.” Judge Andrew Gubbins said: “Because he’s known to the gardaí, he can expect to be searched under the Misuse of the Drugs Act. He should have allowed gardaí to search him. In future, if gardaí need to search him, he should allow them to.” 

Ms Fitzgerald said: “Gardaí had asked him to open his trousers and he did, but a bit to excess.” 

Judge Gubbins convicted Mr O’Shea of the offence and imposed a two-month sentence, which was suspended for six months and assigned free legal aid to Ms Fitzpatrick.

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme.