Changed plea to not guilty in witness box

A 50-year-old man accused of being drunk and abusive suddenly changed his plea from ‘guilty’ to ‘not guilty’ after a Garda statement on the incident was read out to him in court.

Thomas Walsh, of Ballytivnan Hostel, Ballytivnan but now living in Westport, is accused of four counts of being drunk, abusive and failing to following Garda directions in an incident with another man on JFK Parade last October 23rd.

Inspector Donal Sweeney told Judge Kevin Kilrane at Sligo District Court last Thursday that Gardaí got a call at 3.55pm about two men fighting on the street near Oates Brehony estate agents “in full view of members of the public.”

Inspector Sweeney said Walsh was “aggressive” with the Gardaí when they arrived at the scene and had to be pepper sprayed before being taken to Ballymote Garda Station and charged.

The court heard Walsh has one previous conviction for Public Order offences at Galway District Court on 30 November 2003.

Defence solicitor Mr Gerard McGovern said his client was “up front” and a “respectable man” who found himself “down and out” after a fire at the house he was staying in.

“He found himself on the side of the road. All his worldly goods were destroyed in the fire and there was a clause in his lease that the owner of the house would not be liable for any of it,” he told the court.

He said Walsh “never meant any disrespect to the Gardaí” and accepted there was a dispute.

“He was belligerent. He felt the Garda should have disclose to him who he was before asking him his name,” he said.

“This man is mortified. He’s moved to Westport. He regrets anything that was said on the day,” said Mr McGovern.

Thomas Walsh entered the witness box and said he wanted to “just move on” with his life.

He agreed with his solicitor that it had taken a lot out of him and still did, to that day.

“Even at this moment. I regret the incident,absolutely,” he said, agreeing that he respected the Gardaí.

Mr McGovern told Judge Kilrane there were “no blows” between the two men and said it appeared the other man had a dog and was living in a homeless shelter.

Walsh then told the judge that there were three Gardaí who arrived at the scene, with two more arriving in a ‘paddy wagon’ soon after.

“He took my dog and handcuffed me. I was pepper-sprayed and thrown to the ground,” he said.

Inspector Sweeney read out a Garda statement on the incident which Walsh then said he did not accept.

Judge Kilrane remanded him on continuing bail to 6 th September for a full hearing.