GARDAI WERE TOLD THEIR FAMILIES WOULD BE SHOT, COURT HEARS

AN 18-year-old man who told Gardaí their families would be shot has been jailed for two months.

The sentence was imposed on Conor Cox of 27 Willow Park, Maugheraboy who was summoned for engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour at Stephen Street on February 15 th last.

Inspector Paul Kilcoyne told the court the defendant was highly intoxicated and when approached by Gardaí he became verbally abusive to them.

Amongst the things he said was that their families were going to be shot. Cox was arrested and whilst being transported to Ballymote Garda Station he continued to be verbally abusive.

The defendant had a number of previous convictions including one for a public order office for which he was given a two month suspended jail term at Ballyshannon District Court on July 6 th last.

The defendant told Judge Kevin Kilrane that since that court he hadn’t seen anyone or gone to counselling in relation to his drinking.

Mr Gerard McGovern, solicitor (defending) said the defendant just cannot handle alcohol and was a nice young man when he wasn’t drinking.

Asked by the Judge why he drank, the defendant replied that he liked socialising.

Asked why he engaged in verbal abuse of the Gardaí, Cox said he didn’t know but that they were searching him for no reason.

Judge Kilrane said the defendant had no intention of giving up alcohol. “He doesn’t care,” he said.

The Judge added that the defendant had learned nothing from his last court appearance and had no intention of changing.

Cox was jailed for two months.