Man arrested at Laois train station on day of release from prison
The man who appeared before Portlaoise District Court had 183 previous convictions
A man with 183 convictions was arrested for public order offences at Portlaoise Train Station on the day he was released from prison.
Declan Walsh(44) of Simon Community Hostel, 27 Harcourt Street, Dublin 2 was arrested for being intoxicated and abusive at Portlaoise Train Station on April 8, 2024.
Garda Sergeant Jason Hughes said gardaí responded to reports of an intoxicated male at Portlaoise Train Station on the date in question. When they arrived they found an intoxicated male who “exchanged a few verbals” with gardaí before being arrested. He said there was no issue with the defendant when he sobered up.
Sgt Hughes said the man had 183 previous convictions, 40 of which were for public order offences.
Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said there was no use of force in the arrest of her client who had just finished serving a prison sentence.
“He had been released that very day and obviously had a few too many,” she explained.
She said the man handed himself into gardaí on July 3 and has been in custody since. She said he is expected to undergo a medical procedure and is concerned he might miss it.
“He has been waiting eight years for a new hip and now has that appointment for the 31st of July,” she explained.
“He is terrified he is going to miss his hip replacement,” she said.
Ms Fitzpatrick said her client was on a methadone programme.
Judge Andrew Cody jailed the man for 20 days and backdated the sentence to July 3. He granted legal aid.