Letterkenny man pushed Garda in attempt to evade capture

A young Letterkenny man who pushed a Garda as he attempted to evade capture has been fined.

The case of Josh Quigley was before Letterkenny District Court.

The 24-year-old, of Windmill View, Letterkenny, was charged in relation to an incident at 1.35am on May 19, 2025 at Meadowbank Park in Letterkenny.

Inspector Sean McDaid told the court that Gardai received a call about an incident and when they arrived at the scene there was no-one present.

Officers later observed Quigley walking up the Long Lane area with a female.

Garda Michael Rafferty approached Quigley to speak to him and he was intoxicated at the time. Garda Rafferty told Quigley that he was going to be searched and he fled the scene.

When apprehended a short distance away, Quigley told Gardai to “fuck off” on a number of occasions and then pushed Garda Rafferty. Quigley was handcuffed and arrested.

He was charged with resisting Garda Rafferty, a peace officer acting in the execution of his duty, knowing or being reckless that he was, a peace officer acting in the execution of his duty. The charge is contrary to Section 19 (3) of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994, (as amended by section 185 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2006).

He was also charged that he did use or engage in threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace or being reckless as to whether a breach of the peace might have been occasioned, a charge contrary to section 4 and 6 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994 as amended by section 22 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act, 2008.

The court heard that Quigley has four previous convictions, all of which are for road traffic offences.

Mr Rory O’Brien, solicitor for Quigley, said his client, a labourer in construction, wished to convey a “full and wholesome apology”. Mr O’Brien said Quigley offered an apology to Garda Rafferty once he sobered up.

“He was under the influence of alcohol and he behaved inappropriately,” Mr O’Brien said. “Intoxication was a feature of it. He fully accepts the wrong and he has put his hands up.”

Judge Emile Daly said it would be a benefit if clients brought or sent a letter of apology “to show that they mean what they say”.

Quigley was fined a total of €600 and given six months to pay.