Longford District court hears theft of personal belongings causes late night incident

A defendant who “took the law into his own hands” was fined €350 for a breach of the public order at Longford District Court,

Oseiza Sanni (39) of 11 Rivercourt, Apartments, Great Water Street, Longford faced two public order charges. The defendant was charged with public intoxication and engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour.

Sergeant Enda Daly told the court that on July 23 2022 Gardaí received a call about a disturbance at the Rivercourt Apartments in Longford Town at 5am by a neighbour of the defendant. The caller said Sanni was knocking at the door and shouting abuse.

Officers arrived at the apartments and met with the defendant who was intoxicated. Sanni continued to knock on the door and when officers asked him to leave he refused to do so. The defendant was arrested and brought to Longford Garda Station.

Judge Bernadette Owens was told the defendant had nine previous convictions, primarily for road traffic offences, but one for public order. Solicitor Fiona Baxter said her client was “highly intoxicated” on the night. She explained that Sannie had some of his personal belongings stolen and reported the incident to Gardai.

Ms Baxter said when the defendant felt there was no progress on the matter he “took the law into his own hands”, but accepted that this was the wrong thing to do. She said he wished to apologise for his behaviour.

The solicitor said the Nigerian national has lived in Ireland since 2017 and is in full time employment in Granard. Ms Baxter described him as a “committed employee” and said he has made “significant improvements in his life” since this matter.

“He is not someone who troubles the court. He has turned a corner,” Ms Baxter said. Judge Owens registered a conviction and imposed a fine of €350, giving Sanni four months to pay.