Partygoer smeared faeces on mattress in garda station cell

A Christmas partygoer soiled himself and told gardaí “you can’t search me now” before smearing faeces on a cell mattress, a court heard.

Derek Kavanagh (53) refused to co-operate with gardaí, who had to carry him into a garda station cell.

He was “humiliated” by his behaviour, his solicitor said.

Judge Stephanie Coggans said she would leave Kavanagh without a conviction if he made a donation of €500 to the Garda Benevolent Fund.

The defendant, of Collinstown Crescent in Clondalkin, admitted threatening and abusive behaviour and resisting arrest last December 21.

Sergeant Maria Callaghan told Blanchardstown District Court that gardaí received reports at around 8.30pm that a male was causing annoyance by banging on the front doors of houses.

Sgt Callaghan said gardaí went to the area, but did not initially see the defendant, and he was pointed out to them as he was hiding in the bushes.

Gardaí spoke to Kavanagh who was highly intoxicated and appeared agitated.

He was verbally abusive, and he tried to square up to an officer. Kavanagh was told he was going to be arrested, and he tried to initiate an altercation.

Sgt Callaghan said Kavanagh resisted arrest, and had to be taken to the ground and handcuffed.

He continued to be unco-operative, and had to be carried into the station cell by gardaí.

He soiled himself, telling gardaí “you can’t search me now”.

He then smeared faeces on a cell mattress, and refused to clean up or change his clothing.

Sandra Frayne, defending, told the court Kavanagh was very embarrassed about the way he had behaved.

Ms Frayne said the defendant, a father of three, had not taken any alcohol since this incident.

On the day in question, Kavanagh, a forklift driver, had attended a Christmas party, and had far too much to drink.

He could not remember the incident, and he had let himself down by the way he behaved, Ms Frayne said.

Kavanagh had apologised to gardaí the next day, and officers had treated him very well, providing him with a change of clothing,