Man was urinating in Laois shopping trolley bay during the day
The man admitted to the offence at a sitting of Portlaoise District Court
A man admitted urinating on a trolley bay of a Supevalu as shoppers were going about their business.
Peter Butler (51) of Castle Avenue, Borris-in-Ossory, admitted urinating on trolley bay at Supervalu, Pound Street, Rathdowney and not having a licence or insurance on March 16, 2024.
He further admitted drunk driving and not having an insurance or licence at Castle Avenue on November 14, 2024.
Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said a blue 08C registered Ford Focus was observed driving up Supervalu carpark on the wrong side of the road at 4.45pm on March 16 last. He said the car nearly collided with a wall.
Sgt Kirby said it was dangerous as it was busy and people were out shopping. He said the defendant was observed by gardaí “urinating in the trolley bay” and he was unsteady on his feet.
The defendant was stopped driving a different 08 WX registered car at Castle Avenue, Borris-in-Ossory on November 14, 2024. He provided a urine sample with a reading of 248 or 100 which Sgt Kirby said was high. He said the defendant, who had no insurance or licence at the time, was cooperative with gardaí.
Sgt Kirby said the man had 11 previous convictions but “a lot of them are historic”. He said he appreciated the guilty plea.
Solicitor Barry Fitzgerald said his client was pleading guilty to all of the offences. He noted that alcohol featured in both offences.
Mr Fitzgerald explained that his client had separated from his partner two years ago. “He was effectively in a state of freefall,” he said.
“He simply wasn’t able to cope. He was drinking heavily,” Mr Fitzgerald told the sitting of Portlaoise District Court.
Mr Fitzgerald said “the recent pattern is a little better” for the man who was working in a plant hire company.
Judge John Brennan noted “the vast majority” of the man’s previous convictions go back some time. He acknowledged the guilty plea which had saved a lot of hassle and time for the state. He fined the man a total of €400 and disqualified him from driving for four years.
Judge Brennan fixed recognisance in case of appeal and granted legal aid.