Laois man took Ireland’s rugby loss badly

A Mountmellick man who took the loss of Ireland in the Rugby World Cup badly ended up getting into an argument in the early hours of the following morning, the recent sitting of Portlaoise District Court heard. 

Gary Burke (27) of 3 Bay Road, Mountmellick, Co Laois was charged with section 4 and 6 public order offences at Church Avenue, Portlaoise on October 15 last. 

Garda sergeant JJ Kirby outlined to the court that gardaí observed the defendant in an argument with some other males. 

“He became very verbal and had to be arrested,” Sgt Kirby said. 

The defendant had been out earlier that evening watching the Ireland rugby match and hadn’t taken the defeat well. 

The defendant had one previous conviction for a similar offence. 

The issues before the court were being taken “extremely seriously,” his solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said. The defendant has done an alcohol awareness course. 

Earlier on the night of the offence, the defendant had watched Ireland’s defeat in the Rugby World Cup to New Zealand. 

“It would be out of character for him to be on the street at this time,” Ms Fitzpatrick said. 

He is undertaking a trade as an electrician and hopes to travel, once this is completed. 

The defendant had €300 before the court, to show his remorse. 

Judge Deirdre Gearty said the Little Blue Heroes would be an ideal charity to benefit from the contribution. 

There was no excuse, Judge Gearty said, for the defendant to be “out at 4am in the morning, drunk”. 

“Drink doesn’t suit you,” she told the defendant. 

She accepted that a conviction would cause difficulties for the defendant. She said such convictions can pop up years later, when people have long forgotten about the event. 

She struck out the case after the money was handed into court.