So drunk he fell into river

A 19-year-old man before Sligo District Court on Public Order and intoxication charges was told by Judge Kevin Kilrane he showed no remorse and was trying to blame others for his actions.

Cathal Davey of Sliabh Gamph, Coolaney was before the court charged with intoxication and threatening, abusive of insulting behaviour on 2 separate dates, March 7 th and April 27 th 2020. Sergeant Derek Butler told the judge that the intoxication charges were being withdrawn. In relation to the first incident on March 7 th, gardaí were on mobile patrol at 12:10am in Garavogue Villas when a male, the defendant, flagged them down. He said his wallet had been stolen and gardaí noted he was intoxicated. He became extremely abusive when gardaí were trying to ascertain details of the alleged theft, shouting expletives at them and he would not listen to the gardaí. After the gardaí left and returned 5 minutes later, Davey was still there. They tried to speak to him again but he didn’t allow it and insulted them multiple times. Sergeant Butler said the defendant was extremely aggressive and abusive throughout his interaction with gardaí and was subsequently arrested and brought to Ballymote Garda Station.

Defending solicitor Mr Gerard McGovern said his client had no previous convictions and was accompanied by his father in court.

He was a pleasant young man he said and was unfortunately not working presently due to Covid-19. He said Davey said he went to the gardaí to seek help in relation to his wallet but he came to the conclusion they were not being sympathetic.

He was not able to hold his drink, he added and should have left. “He’s throwing himself at the mercy of the court,” Mr

McGovern added.

Sergeant Butler outlined that six weeks later, the defendant was involved in a similar incident where he was banging and kicking the door of Coolaney Garda Station. He was in an intoxicated state and was shouting and roaring on the street. He had a friend with him and he refused to leave. He also fell into a local river and was arrested for his own safety, Sergeant Butler said.

Mr McGovern said his client’s interaction with gardaí was not great but that there was not an ounce of criminality in him outside of this. He comes from a respectable family.

Davey told the judge a fella had robbed his wallet and he chased him to Garavogue Villas. He said he rang gardaí and that they assumed he was doing drugs because of where he was. He said he has never taken drugs in his life and apologised for his behaviour, adding his granny had recently died prior and he hit the drink hard. He said he wouldn’t be in court again.

Sergeant Butler asked why he was shaking his head while he was giving evidence, did he think it was reasonable to shout at gardaí and he replied it wasn’t him and that he wasn’t on Main St, Coolaney.

The judge said he would have a different view if he detected any remorse from Davey but he said he couldn’t. He said 6 weeks following the first incident he was back out in Coolaney and said his friend kicked the door and was roaring, not him. He was so intoxicated he had to be rescued out of a river after falling in.

“He comes in here laying the blame elsewhere,” the judge said. He was convicted on the Public Order charges and fined €300.

Judge Kilrane told Davey he was a young man and everyone is entitled to a chance, but he showed no remorse, saying his friend or gardaí were to blame. “The gardaí have the power and the power to question people where they’ve been. The gardaí can stop me on the road, or Mr McGovern on the road, they are entitled to within reason ask these questions.

“It’s not a single incident and there is no remorse. If that is the way you want to go on, it has consequences for you,” he added.