‘Highly intoxicated’ Clare man abused gardaí who disturbed him while he was ‘out cold’

A “highly intoxicated” Clare man abused gardaí who disturbed him while he was “out cold” on the street, a court has heard.

Jason Burcombe, aged 34, of Pearse Avenue, Cloughleigh, Ennis, appeared before Ennis District Court charged with two public order offences under Section 4 and Section 6 of the Section 6 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994.

Garda Sergeant John Burke told the court that the incident in question took place on Station Road in Ennis on December 5, 2025.

On the date in question, gardaí responded to an ambulance request and found Mr Burcombe sleeping while intoxicated.

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Upon being woken, he was abusive towards gardaí but not towards the ambulance crew. Mr Burcombe has 31 previous convictions.

Solicitor Tara Godfrey, representing the accused, said her client is currently under the care of the Probation Service.

She said Mr Burcombe was “out cold” and “highly intoxicated” at the time of the incident.

Ms Godfrey said that her client acknowledges that he had been “unpleasant” to gardaí and has apologised for his behaviour.

She added that he has difficulties with his mental health, is a vulnerable person and that the incident had occurred at an “emotional time” for him.

Judge Alec Gabbett asked what Mr Burcombe’s “beef” with the gardaí was or if he was just upset that they disrupted his sleep.

He expressed concerns about the amount of time that is being taken up in court by such public order incidents, many of which are drink or drugs related.

After formally convicting Mr Burcombe, Judge Gabbett sentenced the accused to two months in prison, suspended for 12 months.