Suspended jail sentence for man who swore and wrestled gardaí in Letterkenny taxi

A Rathmullan man who refused to get out of a taxi in Letterkenny has been given a three month suspended sentence.

Oliver Shovlin, 49, appeared at Letterkenny District Court. Garda Sergeant Jim Collins told the court that Gardai were called to the scene of a disturbance at Lower Main Street in Letterkenny on July 28, 2025.

When they arrived at 2.15am, they met a taxi-driver who informed them that a drunken passenger refused to get out of his vehicle. Gardai tried to get Shovlin out of the taxi but he became abusive and told Gardai to "f*** off" and called them "w******".

"He had to be eventually wrestled out of the back seat of the taxi," said Sgt Collins. The court was told that Shovlin, of Clondallon, Rathmullan, faced a total of four public order charges arising out of the incident.

Solicitor for the accused man, Mr Patsy Gallagher, said his client was involved in a serious road traffic incident 15 years ago which left him with a serious head injury and that he now suffered with his mental health. He suffered flashbacks and coped with this by turning to alcohol, Mr Gallagher added.

He said he was trying to deal with his issues as an alcoholic and realises he has to face his addiction going forward. Judge Ciaran Liddy jailed Shovlin for three months but suspended the sentence for six months. All the other charges were taken into account.