Went to priest and took pledge after arrest in Portlaoise

A man who attended a party with a free bar and was later arrested for drunkenness visited a priest and took the pledge the following morning. 

Gerard Donoghue, 37, of 15 Buttercup Avenue, Esker Hills, Portlaoise was arrested for being drunk and abusive in Esker Hills at 3.30am on November 5 last. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said gardai found the defendant with a bottle of Bulmers in his hand in the estate. He was “highly intoxicated and extremely aggressive” and he had to be restrained on the night in question.   

He said the people living in the area were woken by the disturbance. The defendant has 21 previous convictions but the most recent dated from 2017, said Sgt Kirby. 

Solicitor Philip Meagher said his client had attended a party where his cousin’s wife had catered and “unfortunately that involved a free bar” and “he completely overindulged” on the night, said Mr Meagher. 

He said his client was remorseful. “He immediately took it upon himself to engage with a local priest and take the pledge,” said Mr Meagher. 

Mr Meagher said a number of other people who were at the party would be pleading before the court as well. 

He said his client had brought a letter of apology to the court and he had brought a sum of €150 to court. 

He said the man acknowledges that he “compounded matters” on the night “by being rude and obnoxious” to gardai.

Mr Meagher said his client would be willing to undertake community service if deemed a suitable candidate.

Judge Andrew Cody asked who was hosting the party. He was told it was the wife of the man’s cousin. 

“If she is before the court for legal aid I will remember,” said Judge Cody. He was told the woman would not be appearing in court. 

The man was deemed suitable for community service and Judge Cody imposed 80 hours community service in lieu of two months in prison.