Sober gent is a nuisance when drunk, Portlaoise court hears
Portlaoise Courthouse
A MAN had to be pepper-sprayed to be subdued before being arrested, after he ran at gardaí with force early on New Year’s Eve.
Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby relayed what transpired at last week’s district court sitting in Portlaoise, when he said that gardaí responded to a report of a dispute in Abbeyleix at 5.25am on 31 December.
They came across 35-year-old Shane Hearns from Derrylahan, who was in a highly intoxicated state. When gardaí tried to speak with him, he became abusive and aggressive. He ran with force at them and had to be pepper-sprayed before being arrested.
Sgt Kirby said the defendant had 32 previous convictions.
Defending solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said that her client was pleading guilty to being intoxicated in public and to engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour at the time.
She said that Mr Hearns now recognised that, on New Year’s Eve, gardaí had much better things to be doing than dealing with him.
She said: “He has told me that he is actively engaging with Cuan Mhuire to access residential treatment for his alcohol addiction. He is currently residing in a hostel in Dublin, because he has burnt many bridges here in Laois. He’s a gentleman when he’s sober, but a nuisance when he’s drunk.” Judge Susan Fay remanded Mr Hearns on continuing bail to the 15 June sitting of the court. She instructed him to engage with probation services in the meantime and undergo a community service assessment, as well as abstain from alcohol consumption.
She said that on 15 June if the defendant has not showed that he is addressing his addiction, “he may bring his bag and toothbrush or whatever he needs because he’s going into custody.”
