Offaly garda sergeant had to use pepperspray against drunken man
Forty-one-year-old Offaly man must pay €400 to the Garda Benevolent Fund
A MAN who had to be peppersprayed by a garda sergeant has been ordered to pay €400 to the Garda Benevolent Fund.
The events of August 5 last at O'Connell Street in Tullamore were outlined by Sergeant Richard Thornton after Paul McGrath (41), Carraig Ean, Edenderry pleaded guilty to public order offences.
Mr McGrath admitted public drunkenness and engaging in threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour.
Sergeant Thornton said he was on mobile patrol at O'Connell Street when he saw a very intoxicated male.
The man went to grab the garda sergeant's arm and the sergeant peppersprayed him and then he became compliant.
However, Mr McGrath, who had more than 50 previous convictions, told the garda to “f... off”.
Sergeant Thornton said there were previous convictions for assault, drugs offences, public order offences and theft.
A two-month sentence, suspended for two years, had previously been imposed on the defendant.
Mr McGrath was represented in court by Marc Bairead, solicitor, and he said his client was sorry for what he had done and accepted he had too much to drink.
Mr Bairead said the accused was a man who could not hold his drink and was now drug-free after having a long battle with drugs.
On this occasion he had drunk too much and would not drink again. The solicitor also said his client had written a letter of apology to Sergeant Thornton.
Mr Bairead said Mr McGrath had a partner who was 13 weeks pregnant and he was currently applying for renewal of his Safe Pass.
He had also engaged with Intreo and would be a paying member of society. The solicitor added that the plea of guilty had been made early and Mr McGrath had not come to garda attention for a long time before the incident to which he was now pleading guilty.
Mr Bairead said his client would donate €250 to the Garda Benevolent Fund next month. “He is trying to put his life back together,” said the solicitor.
Judge Andrew Cody ordered Mr McGrath to pay €400 to the fund before October 16 next and if the money is paid, he intended to impose a three-month suspended sentence on that date.