Offaly man was intoxicated and 'running in front of cars'

A BIRR man pleaded guilty to being intoxicated in public and engaging in threatening behaviour during last week's Tullamore Court sitting.

Jack Maher, 18, Woodland Villas, Birr committed the offences on October 12, 2025, on Townsend Street, Birr.

Sergeant Brendan Kearns told the court that the Guards saw Mr Maher running in front of moving vehicles.

“He was very drunk and when we spoke to him he became very aggressive and verbally abusive. We heard him say that someone was “nothing but a bas**** and a cu**. We arrested him under Sections 4 and 6 of the Public Order Act.”

The defendant had no previous convictions.

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The defending solicitor Brian Duffy said his client had been “out for a drink with his father. His father was drinking while on medication which had a very bad effect on his father. My client was trying to bring his father home, when his father became unpleasant, then Mr Maher began acting in the way that Sergeant Kearns described."

He regrets his behaviour and apologises. He is presently seeking to become involved with SafePath (which is a company that delivers training for medical emergencies). He is a young man who I think could have a bright future. I would ask you to please be lenient with him.”

Judge Andrew Cody remanded the defendant on continuing bail to December 3.

“If he has paid €1,000 to Focus Ireland by that date then I will give him a suspended prison sentence; if not, then I will send him to prison.”

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