Felltothe ground

A 34-year-old man who fell to the ground then became abusive to gardaí who went to his assistance, has appeared in court on four public order charges.

Conor Honan, 30 Castle Road, pleaded guilty to failing to comply with the direction of a garda, being intoxicated in public, engaging in threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour and resisting a garda in the execution of his duty in Park Street on 7 December last.

Sgt Fintan McGroder gave evidence that at 2.15am gardaí saw the defendant fall to the ground. When they went to see if he was alright, Honan became aggressive and abusive.

He refused to comply with a direction to leave the scene.

Solicitor Frank McDonnell said his client should have known better. He had already apologised at the garda station.

He has no previous convictions, the solicitor continued, and lives off the rental income of a property in Dublin.

After €300 was donated to charity, the charges were struck out.

Legal aid was granted. community service assessment.

Maris Ozolins, Braganstown, Castlebellinghan, admitted being intoxicated in public in Crowe Street on 28 June, 2018; being intoxicated in public and engaging in threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour at Commons Road, Dromiskin on 2 February, 2019; and being intoxicated in public and engaging in threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour at Tesco Extra on 14 April last.

Sgt McGroder gave evidence that at 11.35pm on 2 February, gardaí found the defendant asleep in a ditch beside a bicycle. He was ‘intoxicated to an extent’ and when woken up was unaware of his location. Ozolins then became abusive to the officers.

On 14 April, gardaí were called to Tesco Extra by an ambulance crew. The defendant was inside the ambulance. He was aggressive to ambulance personnel and the guards.

There are 10 previous convictions. Solicitor Barry Callan said his client, originally from Latvia, is seventeen years in Ireland. He is separated from his wife. His drinking intensified following the death of a son aged in his twenties.

Ozolins works casually in construction, earning €50 per-day when work is available. He lives in a caravan, helping out on a farm instead of paying rent.

He is very apologetic for what happened, Mr Callan continued, and doesn’t remember the events.

The defendant was remanded on continuing bail to 18 March.

Legal aid was granted.

Judge McKiernan granted a Section 56 order and remanded John Doherty on bail to Dundalk circuit court on 14 January.

Legal aid was granted for a solicitor and barrister. cannabis herb for sale or supply and unlawful possession of cannabis, at 32 Seafield Lawns on 27 June last.

A book of evidence was served on the defendant, and the court heard the DPP consents to a return for trial.

Judge McKiernan made a Section 56 order, and remanded the accused on bail to Dundalk circuit court on 14 January.

She granted legal aid for a solicitor and barrister.