Man swung at gardai in Laois

A suspended sentence was handed out to a man who admitted public order offences. 

Edward Cash, 27, with an address at 29 Churchfield Heights, Castletown pleaded guilty to public order offences in Mountrath on March 14, 2023 and in Castletown on June 15 last year. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the defendant was intoxicated and lying on the ground in Market Square in Mountrath on March 14. When gardai approached he fled and after “a small foot chase” he “attempted to swing at Gardai but missed owning to the level of his intoxication,” said Sgt Kirby. Gardai had to pepper spray the defendant who was shouting and roaring, he added. 

At Churchfield Heights in Castletown the defendant was intoxicated and abusive at 9.50pm on June 15 last, Sgt Kirby said. He said there were children present and the defendant called a garda a scumbag. 

“He said I know John Gilligan. I will find out where you live,” said Sgt Kirby. He said the man has 39 previous convictions. 

Solicitor Barry Fitzgerald admitted the previous records make for “grim reading” and said his client had a litany of these type of offences. 

“He simply drinks too much and quite frankly becomes uncontrollable,” said Mr Fitzgerald. He said the man says things which aren’t rational and he has mental health issues. 

“He has been sober for the past few weeks,” said Mr Fitzgerald. 

“He is asking for the compassion of the court,” he added. 

Judge Andrew Cody fined the man €200 and imposed a six month prison sentence which he suspended for three years. 

“If he comes back here again, this will be imposed,” he warned.