Jail term given to Laois teen

A teenager was given a jail term for public order offences in Laois. 

John McDonagh, 18, of 42 Willow Grove, Mountmellick admitted being drunk and abusive in Mountmellick on December 26, 2022 and in Portlaoise on December 27, 2022. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the teen was highly intoxicated and aggressive when he was  arrested at Kirwan Park, Mountemellick on December 26. He said arresting gardai had been responding to numerous calls about the defendant’s behaviour on that date. 

The teen was again arrested the following day on Main Street in Portlaoise at 3.52am, said Sgt Kirwan. 

He said the man punched the front window of a taxi three times and was shouting F you to the taxi driver. Sgt Kirby said the teen has 11 previous convictions. 

Solicitor Philip Meagher said his client was pleading guilty. He explained that the offending had occurred immediately after Christmas Day. 

Describing it as “appalling behaviour”, Mr Meagher said his client had been drinking with friends at the time. He said the teenager had asked him to apologise in open court for his behaviour. 

Mr Meagher said the teen had left school at 15. 

“It’s the old story of the devil making work for idle hands,” said Mr Meagher. 

Judge Andrew Cody described the behaviour as shocking and said he had obviously learned nothing from his arrest on December 26. 

Sentencing the teenager to six months in prison, Judge Cody said “he has to learn the hard way.” He fixed recognisance for appeal which was immediately taken up. 

Sgt Kirby said if the teen was appealing the sentence, he wanted conditions applied. 

Judge Cody imposed conditions including a curfew between 7pm and 6am.