Longford man was 'out of control' when he violently grabbed garda by the throat
Defendant 'looking for assistance to straighten himself out'
A defendant whose behaviour was “out of control” was warned that he may receive a custodial sentence if he comes to Garda attention before a July conclusion of his case.
Sergeant Enda Daly gave evidence of the charges against Martin Grundza (27). The offences happened on July 28 and 29, 2023.
Mr Grundza of 47 Lana Aoibhinn, Longford was charged with engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour at Tesco Longford, a second charge of engaging in threatening and abusive at St Joseph's NS threatening and abusive, public intoxication, assault on John Fitzmaurice, assault on a peace officer and property damage to cell at Longford Garda Station.
Sgt Daly said that at 10:50pm Longford Garda Station received a call about a disturbance at Tesco Longford. The attending officers were shown CCTV in which Mr Grundza and another man were shouting at Tesco staff and throwing items on the ground.
After this there was a public order incident at St Joseph's NS when the defendant was shouting and being abusive. When the officers attended the scene Mr Grundza was in the passenger seat of a car.
When Garda John Fitzmaurice asked the defendant to get out of the car Mr Grundza became extremely aggressive. As the officer tried to take him out of the car the defendant became extremely violent, grabbing the Garda by the throat and resisting arrest.
Mr Grundza was brought to Longford Garda station and placed in a cell. There he removed all his clothes and urinated in the cell. The cost of cleaning the cell was €250.
Judge Bernadette Owens was told the assaulted officer did not require medical attention. The criminal damage charge happened earlier in the day. In this incident Mr Grundza damaged property, flower planter boxes, belonging to a neighbour.
The defendant made full admissions about his behaviour and entered a guilty plea.
Solicitor John Quinn said the offences before the court were 'the culmination of a young man out of control'.
“Martin is looking for assistance to straighten himself out,” the solicitor said and suggested that his client would benefit from in-patient treatment at Cluain Mhuire. Mr Quinn said the first step his client should take was to engage with probation services.
In her summation Judge Owens said of the matter before the court, “this is certainly one I should contemplate custody.”
The judge said she would accede to the request for a probation report, adding that “there are no promises on the outcome”.
Judge Owens directed that part of the report should assess if the defendant was suitable for community service, but added that she was contemplating a custodial or suspended sentence.
Remanding Mr Grundza on bail until July 9 the judge concluded by saying: “It there is anything between now and July 9 you will be going into custody.”