Man who 'hassled' youngsters at junior disco gets chance to avoid conviction
The case of the man, who is in his 70s, was before Letterkenny District Court this week
A Donegal pensioner who was hassling youngsters outside a junior disco in Letterkenny has been given a chance to avoid a conviction.
Gardai observed Edward Lapsley outside the disco on Friday, October 25, 2019, at 9.50pm.
Sergeant Sean McDaid told Letterkenny District Court that Lapsley, a 72-year-old from Townparks, Convoy, was hassling males and females.
When Garda O'Keefe approached, Lapsley was 'under the influence and incoherent', Sergeant McDaid said.
After Garda O'Keefe demanded that Lapsley move on, he was spotted by Gardai stumbling into the wall of a nearby shop.
Lapsley was arrested for an offence contrary to section 4 of the Public Order Act.
A fixed charge penalty notice (FCPN) was issued, but went unpaid.
Mr Donough Cleary, solicitor for Lapsley, said his client takes 'quite a lot of medication' and suffers from chronic Crohn's disease.
“Regarding the inconvenience, it was more a general untidiness and he effectively keeled over,” Mr Cleary said.
Mr Cleary said his client lives with his brother, whom he is the carer for.
Judge Éiteáin Cunningham said that if Lapsley makes a €100 contribution to Foróige, she would not impose a conviction. A default order of a conviction and a €200 fine was set out. The case was adjourned to March 6, 2023.