Went to swing at punter in bookies, missed and fell

A 37-year-old man who attempted to strike a customer in a bookies in Sligo town ending up falling and injuring himself, Sligo District Court heard.

Sergeant Derek Butler told Judge Kevin Kilrane at Thursday’s sitting of the District Court that staff in the bookies had to lock customers inside while the defendant was outside kicking on the door and shouting obscenities which were mostly racist in nature.

The defendant, Peter Kelly with an address at Avondale, Ballytivnan was charged with being intoxicated in public and also threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour on November 20 th 2018.

Sergeant Butler told the court that the defendant tried to hit another customer in Ladbrokes but he missed and ended up injuring himself.

He was then put out of the bookies on Holborn Street and the door of the bookies was then locked.

Kelly was drunk and bleeding and was kicking and boxing the door of the premises.

Sergeant Butler told the court that there were cars passing by during the incident which occurred at 3:50pm on the date in question.

The defendant was shouting obscenities which were of a racist nature, he added.

Sergeant Butler told Judge Kilrane that Kelly had been given every chance by the court but that he had fallen off the wagon every time.

Kelly, who was represented by Mr John Anderson (solicitor) told the judge that he was only after coming out of hospital prior to the court sitting after receiving treatment for his injuries.

He said: “I know 100 per cent that I didn’t do much wrong.”

The judge warned him about his behaviour and told him he was going to seriously injure himself if he didn’t look after himself.

Judge Kilrane said: “You would want to look after yourself or you will kill yourself by falling and hitting your head or a car will hit you.

“If this happens again you will be put in prison,” he added.

Kelly was remanded on bail until the December 6 th sitting of Sligo District Court.