Manconvictedofverbal abuseoffisheryofficer

DISTRICT COURT

A 46- year- old man has been fined € 300 for what Judge Kevin Kilrane said was his disgraceful behaviour towards a fishery officer.

Edward Gray ( 46) of St Edward’s Terrace had acted in an appalling manner when he came across Oliver Conlon at JFK Parade on July 20th 2016 said the Judge.

“I find that his behaviour both in the witness box and towards his victim on the day to be absolutely disgraceful,” said the Judge who said Gray “in a very nasty way” had tried to blacken Mr Conlon’s name whilst giving evidence.

Judge Kilrane said it was clear Gray resented the fact Mr Conlon, whom he knew as young lad, had made good in life after studying and applying himself to become a fishery officer and the defendant was now going to make hell for him after learning he took up a position with the fisheries board in Sligo having moved back to his hometown from Ballina.

The defendant was aware that Mr Conlon was going to be now enforcing the various regulations and law but Gray was marking his card for him, said the Judge.

In convicting and fining the defendant, the Judge warned that if any threats made by him were carried out or if there were any more made then he would be going to jail.

Earlier, Garda Francis Finnegan told the court that Mr Conlon had come to the Garda Station to complain he had been verbally abused and threatened by the defendant while in the presence of his three year old son.

On August 10th he called to the defendant’s home and when the allegation was put to him he said he had nothing to say and proceeded to close the door to him and Garda Danny Grimes.

Mr Conlon told the court he had been fishing on the Garavogue River with his son when the defendant approached having