Elderly man who threatened gardaí in Laois makes donation to ISPCA

An elderly man who threatened a garda who responded to a call from the ISPCA has been ordered to pay money to the charity.

William Bergin (79) of The Glebe, Coolrain, admitted making threats to kill or cause serious harm to a garda at Shanderry in Laois on February 8, 2022. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said gardaí were called to the location by the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA). 

“Mr Bergin was there and he made numerous threats to gardaí and towards Garda Quinn who is now Sgt (Niall) Quinn,” said Sgt Kibry. 

“Sergeant Quinn didn’t want to make a victim impact report,” said Sgt Kirby. 

He said Sgt Quinn has no issue with the defendant and believes the comments were made “in the heat of the moment” while in the company of another man. He said the defendant had no previous convictions. 

Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick extended her thanks to Sgt Quinn for his magnanimous treatment of her client. 

“The accused felt that he was obliged to protect his friend and his friend’s property on the day,” she said.  She pointed out that her client was 79 and had no convictions.

Judge Nicola Andrews described the nature of the offence as very serious. 

“I want a €1,000 donation to the ISPCA,” she remarked. 

The defendant produced €1,000 and asked if it could instead be donated to another cause. However, Judge Andrews refused the request and ordered that the money go to the ISPCA. She struck out the charge once the money was handed over at the sitting of Portlaoise District Court.