Drunk man ran away when told of drugs search in Offaly town square

AN intoxicated man ran away from gardai when he was told he was going to be searched under the Misuse of Drugs Act, Tullamore District Court was told.

Charges of public drunkenness and impeding or obstructing a garda were brought against Paul Rabbitt (35), Teach Mhuire, Mardyke Walk, Cork. Sergeant Justine Reilly told the court Mr Rabbitt was seen intoxicated and unsteady on his feet at Market Square, Tullamore on October 16 last and he “took off running” when told he was going to be subjected to a drugs search.

The man had nine previous convictions, Sergeant Reilly added, including one for public drunkenness and one for drugs possession dating from 2016.

Defence counsel David Nugent said Mr Rabbitt had not been in the right frame of mind on the night. A man who was currently not in employment, he was asking the court to be lenient.

Judge Andrew Gubbin fined Mr Rabbitt, who had been granted legal aid, €300 for the obstruction offence and took the charge of public drunkenness into consideration.

(Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme)