Man 'spat and blew snot' on Garda in Laois

A man ‘spat and blew snot’ at a garda after being arrested at the National Ploughing Championships.

Eric Russell, 25, of 4 Sycamore Drive, Kilmallock, Limerick was charged with assaulting a garda at Ratheniska, Stradbally on September 22, 2022. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the defendant was arrested following an altercation at the National Ploughing Championships. He said the man had consumed alcohol. 

“In the patrol car he kicked out at Detective Garda Ryan hitting him in the shoulder,” said Sgt Kirby.  He also “spat and blew snot” at the Garda, he said. 

Sgt Kirby said the garda suffered no long lasting injuries as a result of the incident. He said the defendant has 39 previous convictions and was currently serving a sentence in Limerick Prison. 

Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said her client was entering a guilty plea. She said he was due for release from prison in November 2024. 

She said her client has undertaken some rehabilitation while in prison. He was pleading guilty at the earliest opportunity and apologises to Garda Ryan. 

“He took the time to write a letter of apology,” she said. 

“He seems a model prisoner, not a model member of society,” she said. 

Judge Andrew Cody noted the early plea. He sentenced the man to three months in prison which he suspended for four years. 

“When he comes out he will still have a suspended sentence hanging over him,” Judge Cody told the sitting of Portlaoise District Court.