Spat on garda in Portlaoise District Court

A man admitted spitting on a garda at Portlaoise District Court. 

PJ O’Shea, 30, of 20 O’Moore Street, Portlaoise was charged with assault in relation to the offence at the courthouse on March  8, 2022. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the incident occurred while the defendant was being brought to a holding cell at 10.30am on the date in question. 

“He spat at him from behind leaving saliva on his boots,” Sgt Kirby explained. 

He said the defendant, who has 37 previous convictions, is currently serving a sentence and has a release date of September 2 this year. 

Solicitor Barry Fitzgerald said his client, who was appearing via videolink,  had been jailed for public order and theft offences. He said the man had addiction issues and when intoxicated becomes unmanageable.

“It could have been worse Judge, it didn’t hit the officer in the head,” he said. 

He said the man was apologetic and asked the court to take his plea of guilty into account. 

Judge Andrew Cody said the Garda was simply doing his job in the court when the incident occurred. 

He imposed a one month jail sentence and ordered that it commence on the expiry of the defendant’s current jail sentence.