Man was drunk in playground in Laois

Portlaoise District Court was told a man was drunk in a playground in Laois at 5pm. 

Ross O’Keeffe, 29, with an address at 8 Oak Drive, Mountmellick was accused of being drunk at Irishtown, Mountmellick on August 4 last. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the defendant was found “intoxicated in a playground where children were playing” at 5.05pm on the date in question. He said the man, who has 68 previous convictions, was issued with a fine but he never paid. 

Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said her client has since moved out of the area and no longer lives in Mountmellick. 

Judge Andrew Cody fined the man €350 and gave him a year to pay.