Man called Gardaí names and raised middle finger at them

A 40-year-old man who verbally abused Gardaí on the street has stood up and apologised to them in court.

Bernard Smith of North Court, Quayside, was charged with being drunk and abusive on Wine Street on 10 th November 2017.

His case came up last week before Judge Kevin Kilrane in the District Court after it was adjourned since last February to monitor Smith’s behaviour.

Sergeant Derek Butler told the court that Smith called two Gardaí on patrol “w*****s” from the other side of the road. When they spoke to him he was intoxicated, unsteady on his feet and there was a smell of alcohol off him.

However Smith then said to the Gardaí “I’ ll kill the two of you” and raised a middle finger to them.

He was then arrested.

The court heard Smith had 31 previous convic- tions. Judge Kilrane said to Ms Laura Spellman, defending, “I see him shaking his head. This is very serious.”

Smith took the witness stand and said he had a pain in his back and his neck.

“Ah no, you were shaking your head in disagreement. What’s going on in your life?” he asked Smith.

“It’s changed now your honour,” he said and Ms Spellman said he hadn’t taken a drink in seven months.

Judge Kilrane ordered Smith to stand up and face the court and apologise to the Gardaí for his behaviour on the night.

“I apologise,” said Smith to the court.

“You know what an apology is, you say ‘I’m sorry’ and the second part is ‘I won’t do it again’,” said Judge Kilrane.

Smith said this and the judge convicted and fined him ¤300 for the two offences.