Unemployed painter was arrested for being drunk in public in Laois
The man appeared before Portlaoise District Court
An unemployed painter was fined for being drunk in public in Castletown.
Gordon Bergin (48) of Ballycleary, Castletown admitted being intoxicated in public at Ballycleary, Castletown on April 6 last.
Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the incident occurred at 6.10pm. He said the man had 51 previous convictions, 21 of which related to public order offences.
“When he is sober he is alright, easy enough to deal with,” Sgt Kirby told the sitting of Portloaise District Court.
Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said her client was pleading guilty. She said the man lived with his brother and sister and had spent “a little bit of time in custody” since the offence and now no longer drinks. “He had emerged from his house and then he took a walk,” she said of the date in question.
She told the court the man was unemployed but had worked as a painter on odd jobs.
Ms Fitzpatrick said her client informed her that he was now engaged with local drugs and alcohol treatment services.
Judge Susan Fay said it was very difficult to find painters at the moment. She granted legal aid and fined the man €350 and gave him three months to pay.