Longford man 'horrified at his behaviour' warned that he is ‘not out of the woods yet’

A defendant intoxicated in public was warned a suspended sentence he is already under could be activated if he returns before the court.

Michael Dempsey (27) of 79 MacEoin Park Longford was before judge Bernadette Owens charged with public intoxication on August 22 of this year.

Sergeant Conor McShane outlined details of the offence. The sergeant said at 2:18am Longford Garda Station received a call about a row in the MacEoin Park area of Longford Town. When the officers attended the scene they encountered Mr Dempsey.

The defendant was in a”highly intoxicated” condition, The Gardaí told him to return home, but he failed to do so. Mr Dempsey was arrested for his own safety.

Solicitor Frank Gearty said the offence happened when his client was going through “an awful time”. Mr Gearty said the defendant was at The Marquee In Drumlish Festival that evening and returned home intoxicated. The solicitor said Mr Dempsey was “horrified at his behaviour”.

“It was an unfortunate and appalling time. It ruined his night and tied up Garda time. He is asking the court not to activate a suspended sentence hanging over his head. He now knows he should not have taken a drink at all,” Mr Gearty told the judge.

Judge Owens said she would not activate the suspended sentence, but warned the defendant he was “not out of the woods yet”.

Adjourning the case to January 9, 2024 the judge directed Mr Dempsey continue to engage with the Probation Service and gave the prosecution liberty to re-enter the matter.