Longford District Court: 'A classic case of drink in, wit out'

A young man who issued a “barrage of foul language” to Gardaí when questioned about a late night public order incident avoided a conviction by making a charity donation.

Kyle Hall (20) of Ards, Kenagh, Longford faced a charge that on August 15, 2022 at Big Bites, Main Street, Ballymahon, Longford he engaged in threatening and abusive behaviour.

Sergeant Mark Mahon described an incident that occurred at 12:30am on the date. Three males attempted to get into a closed take away. CCTV footage from the fast food restaurant showed Kyle Hall kicking the door. The men were shouting profanities at the staff to open up.

When the Gardaí arrived they searched the area. They encountered two of the men who were causing the disturbance, one of them was Mr Hall.

The defendant was intoxicated and his speech was slurred. He issued “a barrage of foul language” when the officers spoke to him.

The court was told Mr Hall had no previous convictions. Solicitor Brid Mimnagh described the incident as “a classic case of drink in, wit out”. Ms Mimnagh informed the judge her client works in the agriculture industry.

“He has embarrassed himself and caused embarrassment for his family,” the solicitor said.

Ms Mimnagh told the court her client, who is engaged in a course in an agricultural college, wished to apologise profusely to Gardaí, the courts and the employees of the fast food restaurant for his behaviour.

Taking the details of the case into account Judge Bernadette Owens said if the defendant makes a payment of €350 to the Bridgeway Family Resource Centre in Ballymahon she would strike the matter out.