Spat in the face of Leitrim publican
A 22-year-old man who spat in the face of a publican who had refused him entry as he was drunk, spat in his face, Sligo District Court was told.
Before the court was Declan Sherlock, a native of Ennis but who was living 3 Cnoc Na Greinne, Mohill, County Leitrim.
He admitted assaulting John Gordon proprietor of the Cosy Corner pub, Main Street, Mohill on October 10 th last and engaging in disorderly conduct.
Sherlock also admitted stealing €60 worth of beer from SuperValu, Ballyconnell on October 9 th and driving off without paying for €62.74 worth of petrol at Mace, Beltrubet on the same date.
The defendant was also charged with stealing a mobile phone from a car at Shannagh, Mohill between 8pm on October 7 th and 4pm on the 10 th and with stealing a car belonging to Anthony Stokes at Gortoolan, Ballyconnell bewteen Octrober 9 th and 10 th.
Sergeant Ronan Mooney told the court that a set of keeys along with the phone were stolen from the car which already had a broken window. The keys, for a community centre, were not recovered while the phone was found at Sherlock’s home minus the Sim card.
With regard to the taking of the car, Sherlock had been drinking with the owner and took the vehicle without his permission. At 10.15pm the defendant arrived at the Cosy Corner pub but were refused service because they were drunk. Sherlock became very abusive and spat at the owner, John Gordon.
Sherlock then left but returned a short time later and were stopped at the door by Mr Gordon who had contact the Gardaí. When they arrived, Sherlock ran off. He has 24 previous convictions, added the Sergeant.
Mr John Anderson, solicitor (defending) said Sherlock had a troubled background. He lost his mother in 2008 and a brother in 2013. He was a father of three with another child due with his partner. He was currently serving a sentence and was on High Court bail on other matters, a condition of which he stay away from Limerick and this was why he was in Mohill, living with a brother-in-law.
Judge Conal Gibbons said it was troubling to think these matters had occurred while the defendant was on High Court bail.
The defendant had an appalling record. The publican was completely acting lawfully and carrying out his obligations in refusing alcohol to an already intoxicated man and, as a consequence, he was assaulted.
The Judge said Sherlock had serious issues to deal withand society had to be protected from him and the only way was by the imposition of a custodial sentence.
The Judge said Sherlock had absolutely no regard for his fellow man and he wished to do what he pleased and when and where he pleased.
The assault, he added, was particularly heinous, disgusting and degrading. Sherlock was jailed for seven months.