Two friends appear in court following night that ‘got out of hand’

Two men appeared before Carrick-on-Shannon District Court after a night out in the town ended in disorderly behaviour in the early hours of the morning.

Conor McCormick (36), of 25 Rademon Avenue, Crossgar, County Down, and his friend Noel Sharkey (35), of 20 Rathview Hall, Craigavon, Co Armagh, Northern Ireland, were before the court in connection with a public order incident that occurred on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at around 2.10am in the Hartley area near the Bush Hotel.

Mr McCormick was charged under Section 6 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994 in relation to threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour in a public place, while Mr Sharkey faced the same charge, along with allegations that he had resisted gardaí during his arrest.

The court heard that gardaí were called to the area following reports of a man banging on doors in the early hours of the morning.

On arrival, officers found Mr McCormick stumbling in the middle of the road and displaying signs of intoxication. Gardaí established that he was staying at the Bush Hotel and brought him back there for his own safety.

However, when they arrived at the hotel, Mr McCormick refused to provide his details to staff and began verbally abusing gardaí, using obscene language.

Both men were represented by solicitor John Anderson, who told the court that they were “deeply embarrassed by their behaviour” and had “taken full responsibility for their actions”.

He said the incident arose after “a night out that got out of hand” and asked the court to take into account their cooperation with gardaí and their personal circumstances.

Mr McCormick, who has no previous convictions was told that he had brought €300 with him to court.

Judge Éiteáin Cunningham noted his previously clean record and agreed to accept a €300 donation to the charity Little Blue Heroes in lieu of a conviction.

The matter was then struck out in his case.

The court then heard that Mr McCormick’s friend, Noel Sharkey, had also been involved in the incident, but that his conduct was more serious.

Gardaí told the court that Mr Sharkey was intoxicated and became verbally abusive towards officers. During the course of his arrest, he violently resisted, requiring gardaí to use handcuffs in order to restrain him.

Judge Cunningham said the behaviour was unacceptable.

“What kind of example is that?” she asked. “Banging on doors and being abusive to gardaí — that simply cannot be tolerated.”

The court heard that Mr Sharkey has eight previous convictions.

Mr Sharkey, who was also represented by solicitor Anderson, was charged under the Public Order Act.

Judge Cunningham said that while both men had behaved aggressively towards gardaí, Mr Sharkey’s conduct was more serious due to the fact that he had resisted arrest.

Taking into account his previous convictions and the circumstances of the case, the judge convicted Mr Sharkey and imposed a fine of €400, allowing five months to pay.