DRUG USER TRIED TO BITE GARDA

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC HAD TO ASSIST GARDAÍ IN THE ARREST OF A KENMARE MAN

A DISTRICT court judge has said that a chronic drug user, who tried to bite a garda whilst being arrested in Kenmare, should have faced more serious charges than public drunkenness and using threatening and abusive behaviour.

Heard before Kenmare District Court, Judge David Waters said that gardaí had done Paul Douglas, 13 The Crossroads, Kenmare, “a favour” as he would be facing six months in jail if he had been charged with more serious offences.

The offence occurred at SuperValu, Kenmare, on March 10, 2018. In evidence, the court heard Mr Douglas was arguing with his partner and swaying on his feet when gardaí approached him. He attempted to bite a garda, and the public had to come to the assistance of the gardaí during the arrest.

Mr Douglas, who has 48 previous convictions, also headbutted the ground during the incident. His solicitor said there was no doubt that Mr Douglas was in an “appalling” state on the day in question and that he had done a lot of damage to himself by his actions, including physical damage.

The court was told that Mr Douglas has a suspended sentence hanging over him from a District Court appeal at Circuit Court. The case had been pending when the public order incident occurred.

His solicitor told the court that following this suspension the court ordered him to undergo regular blood screenings for drugs – two of which have been completed since the order and were clear. He said this proved that Mr Douglas was doing well.

Mr Douglas has been charged with using threatening and abusive behaviour and being intoxicated in public arising out of the incident at SuperValu Kenmare. Judge David Waters said that he did not think it was appropriate that Mr Douglas get jail on a public order charge, but if the more serious charges had been brought, he would be imprisoned.

Judge David Waters convicted and fined him €300 for using threatening and abusive behaviour.