Man who demanded garda cell for the night fined €200

HAVING lost everything but his shirt at the races, a penniless, phoneless and friendless Limerick man went looking for a bed in the garda station.

Ryan Daly, from Dromard, Rathkeale, was enjoying a night out with friends during Listowel Races in Kerry in September last year.

However having lost his money, his phone and his friends in the early hours of the following morning he made his way to the local garda station and demanded that he be arrested.

When gardaí were less than accommodating, Mr Daly threw his passport over the counter, kicked doors and abused officers until eventually his wish was granted.

The incident was recalled at Listowel District Court on Thursday, where the Limerick man pleaded guilty to engaging in threaten- ing, abusive and insulting behaviour at the garda station on September 20 last. The Kerryman newspaper reported this week that Inspector Tony Sugrue told the court that Mr Daly’s behaviour was appalling but the young man did apologise immediately after his arrest.

Solicitor for Mr Daly, Pat Enright, said his client took the misguided notion to demand he be arrested when he realised all his possessions and friends were gone, according to the paper. Mr Daly’s father collected his son at approximately 6am the following morning and, according to the Kerryman, ‘he hasn’t been given the same freedom since’.

Mr Daly, who pleaded guilty to the offence, was convicted and fined €200 for engaging in threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour at Listowel Garda station.

The Listowel Races, which take place in September, attract crowds of up to 20,000 each year.