Man convicted of obstructing gardaí in Laois
The man appeared before Portlaoise District Court
A man was convicted of obstruction for resisting a drugs search in Portlaoise.
Alexander Berko (35) of 1 Hynds Square, Portlaoise admitted obstruction at Tower Hill, Portlaoise on July 15 last.
Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the accused was observed acting suspiciously and became evasive when approached by gardai. He said the defendant resisted a search and had to be arrested. He said the man had two previous convictions.
Judge Nicola Andrews warned those present to turn off their mobile phones. She instructed the man to turn his phone off as it began to beep as his case was being heard.
“It is not helpful that it is your mobile phone,” she said.
Solicitor Philip Meagher said his client was with another male on the day and both had hoods up as it was raining. He said his client was taken to Portlaoise Garda Station where a search revealed he had nothing in his possession.
He explained that his client had “taken umbridge” during the search. He said the man had taken out his phone and tried to film the gardai.
“They asked him to take off his shoes and socks on the street,” said Mr Meagher.
He told the sitting of Portlaoise District Court that his client was originally from Slovakia and was a painter and decorator but was out of work at the moment.
Judge Andrews fined the man €1,000 and gave him six months to pay.