Man smeared faeces all over walls of cell at garda station

A Wexford man who smeared faeces all over the walls of his cell while he was held at Enniscorthy Garda Station was sentenced to eight months in prison.

Ger Connors (27) from Rosemount, Drinagh, drew no sympathy from Judge Brian O’Shea with his complaint about the standard of toilet facilities at the barracks.

The criminal damage case dated back to May 23 when Connors was under arrest after his bail had been revoked. It was discovered that he wiped faeces all over the cell wall, creating a mess which cost at least €250 to clean up.

The defendant, whose mother was present for the hearing, pleaded guilty but told the judge ‘I am not apologising’ and asked to be allowed address the court.

In the witness box, he described the facility in the cell as ‘nothing only a hole in the ground’.

He said he had asked seven or eight times to be let out to go to the toilet.

Sergeant Gary Rayner, who used to work at the barracks in Enniscorthy, said the cell toilet was flat to the floor, with no raised bowl, for safety reasons.

Solicitor Tim Cummings acknowledged that his client had a long history of drug abuse and the court heard that Connors had more than 150 convictions on his past record.

Judge O’Shea did not accept the defendant’s complaints and felt there was no excuse for smearing the excrement. The accused responded by saying loudly ‘ that’s bullsh*t’.

The judge noted that he appeared to show no remorse before handing down the eightmonth term. Connors was told that it would have been nine months but credit was given for the guilty plea.