Man headbutted  Portlaoise Garda Station screen

A man was arrested after attending Portlaoise Garda Station to lodge a complaint about being assaulted. 

Philip Kavanagh, 37, of 11 Convent Lawns, Kylemore Road, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10 admitted being drunk, abusive and causing criminal damage at Portlaoise Garda Station on December 28 last. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the accused was intoxicated and abusive and had a cut over his eye when he arrived at the public office of Portlaoise Garda Station. 

“He headbutted the perspex screen causing himself an injury,” said Sgt Kirby. 

He said the defendant had 13 previous convictions. 

Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said her client had been seeing a lady in Portlaoise. On the night in question he was the victim of an assault in Harpur’s Lane and his phone was stolen. 

“He had been drinking because he was on a social visit,” Ms Fitzpatrick said. 

“It’s not often that people present at the Garda Station with a view to committing offences,” she said. 

“He got more frustrated and he started to use bad language,” she explained. 

“He will accept that he headbutted the perspex screen,” Ms Fitzpatrick said. 

She said her client believes he should have had medical attention but was instead detained and released the following day. 

She said her client now hopes to get a forklift qualification in order to find work. 

Judge Nicola Andrews said she would strike out the charges on condition that the man paid €50 to the court poor box. Once the money was paid, Judge Andrews struck the case out.