TD AVOIDS CONVICTION OVER DRUNKEN ABUSE
A DRUNK TD who was arrested when he verbally abused gardai at a house party has avoided a conviction.
Sinn Fein’s Pat Buckley, 49, appeared at Midleton District Court yesterday on two public order charges.
The deputy pleaded guilty to charges of intoxication and threatening and abusive behaviour.
At a previous hearing Judge Brian Sheridan was told Mr Buckley was celebrating the graduation of one of his children from school on August 18, 2017.
Insp Tony O’sullivan said gardai were called to the TD’S home at Holly Ridge in Broomfield, West Cork, because of a noise complaint.
Insp O’sullivan, who was prosecuting the case, said gardai were met by an aggressive Mr Buckley. He added: “The accused came to the door and said, ‘I don’t need to tell you lot anything’ and as the gardai were leaving the accused came running out of the house.
“He called a garda an asshole and told the members to f**k off and demanded to know who made the complaint.”
Insp O’sullivan said Mr Buckley’s sister repeatedly tried to “hold back” the “aggressive” deputy.
At a previous hearing Judge Sheridan said he would show leniency to the politician if there were “no further issues”. Mr Buckley’s solicitor Henry Mccourt said his client had no previous convictions except for a road traffic matter.
He added the TD was a “married man with two children and was celebrating a child’s graduation from school” and on the night in question his home was full with friends and neighbours.
The lawyer told the court: “The music got a bit loud” and his client “apologises in full.” Judge Sheridan yesterday imposed the Probation Act, meaning Mr Buckley avoided a conviction.
Sinn Fein said: “We stand over Pat’s statement he made at the time.”
MIDLETON COURT
He called a garda an asshole and told the members to f**k off
INSP TONY O’SULLIVAN