Pepper spray used in dispute with doorman

A NIGHT lub doorman who became involved in a dispute outside the Centenary Stores in Wexford admitted obstruction of a garda when he appeared at the District Court in Belvedere Road.,

Edmundas Liukimas, with an address at 21 Redmond Cove, Wexford heard prosecuting Garda Richie Fitzgerald recall attending the scene at Charlotte Street with two fellow officers in the early hours of a September Sunday morning.

A number of males had been involved in the dispute with door staff when 43-year-old Liukimas became involved though not working at the time.

The 43-year-old accused repelled efforts by Garda Fitzgerald to restrain him and an arrest was made only after pepper spray was deployed.

The defendant, who has been in Ireland for 14 years, required his security licence in order to continue working part time as a doorman, solicitor Tim Cummings pointed out.

He was therefore anxious to avoid a criminal conviction and offered to raise a contribution to the garda benevolent fund.

Mr Cummings also offered an apology on behalf of his client and suggested that Liukimas had gone to help harassed colleagues that night.

Judge Kevin Staunton accepted that the accused appeared to be of good character and allowed him until October 1 to come up with €500.

On that basis judge indicated that, once he pays in time, the case will be struck out on the adjournment date.