Man (43) threatened to choke a garda in Louth

A 43-year-old man who threatened to choke a garda who got out and approached him after he refused to get out of the way of the patrol vehicle he was driving, has been sentenced to perform 60 hours community service.

Michael Davidson of Meeting House Lane, Linenhall Street, Dundalk had pleaded guilty to being intoxicated in public, using threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour, obstructing a Garda in the execution of his duty and being a pedestrian and failing to exercise care arising out of the incident on Quay Street, Dundalk, on December 7th 2023.

The court previously heard the defendant, who had been walking along the centre of the road, initially had stopped and shouted at the garda, and after the officer sounded the horn as a warning, and went to drive around him, Mr Davidson punched the side window of the vehicle.

The garda got out, but the defendant continued to refuse to move and shouted aggressively at him before he grabbed the guard by the lapels, forced him against a wall and tried to strike the garda.

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He threatened to choke him and also referred to “a previous incident involving a bottle”.

The court was told the defendant, who had 51 previous convictions, was on prescription medication and had addiction issues at the time, and was extremely apologetic for how he reacted on the day and had completed a Turas Counselling Service course a year ago.

He had €300 on the last occasion to show his remorse, when Judge Nicola Andrews said he had "acted like a bull in a china shop".

Last Wednesday, after reading a probation report that had been ordered, Judge Andrews imposed 60 hours community service in lieu of a two month sentence and after warning him she'll put him straight in prison if he doesn't complete the order.

Judge Andrew said if there's any further such unlawful conduct he should reflect on his consumption of alcohol.