Man threatened to ‘get’ Garda and his family

A man who threatened a Garda and his family has been remanded in custody for a week after Judge Kevin Kilrane revoked his bail.

34-year-old Barry Gormley of Carrow, Garneen, Coolaney, pleaded guilty at Sligo District Court to being drunk and abusive in public on O’Connell Street 22nd December last.

Inspector Donal Sweeney told the court that Gardaí were called when they got a report of a drunk man on the street.

When they arrived at the scene, the defendant was being held back by his friend. There was a cut to his nose and the blood was “fresh” said the inspector.

He said the defendant told Gardaí to “Take as much detail as you want. I don’t give a f **k. I’m not going to care about this in the morning’.”

Inspector Sweeney added that Gormley told Gardaí he had “beaten bigger men and would put his head through his face.”

The court heard Gormley added: “I’m going to find out where you live. I’ ll get you and your family. You think you’re a big man.”

Inspector Sweeney said the defendant had four previous convictions, for Public Order offences and for Assault causing harm at Sligo Circuit Court in 2006, for which Gormley received a two year prison sentence, suspended for one year.

Defence solicitor Mr Gerard McGovern put it to his client that this was “outrageous behaviour.” Gormley nodded in agreement from the witness box.

Mr McGovern said his client had gone on various programmes and had stayed off the drink at various times but every offence read out in court was “alcohol related.”

Gormley told the court that at the time of the offences he had been off alcohol for eight months.

“But you went on a bender before Christmas,” said Mr McGovern.

“I didn’t mean it Judge,” replied Gormley. He apologised to the Gardaí and agreed with his solicitor that they had nothing to fear from him.

Gormley said he was currently staying away from alcohol . “You know it doesn’t suit you. Are you telling the Judge it’s going to stop?” asked Mr McGovern.

“Yes,” replied Gormley.

Judge Kilrane noted that Gormley’s offending dated back to 2006 for assault causing harm for which he received a suspended prison sentence.

“This particular offence is at the higher end of the scale - making threats to Gardaí. These were not idle threats because he has been violent before,” said the judge.

He revoked Gormley’s bail and remanded him in custody to appear back before him at Sligo District Court this Thursday 1st March.