‘It's my daughter's wedding and you won't tell me what to do’, Longford man shouts in foul mouthed rant to gardaí

Thomas Reilly (53) of 2 Colmcille Terrace, Granard was before Judge Bernadette Owens on two charges.

Mr Reilly was charged with public intoxication and engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour on February 18, 2023 at Market Street, Granard.

Inspector David Jordan told Longford District Court that at 2:15am on the date of the incident officers approached the defendant after calls about a disturbance at a Granard Public House. Mr Reilly was stumbling and behaving in an aggressive manner.

When the officer asked him to leave the area he shouted: “This is my town, I won't be moved.”

Inspector Jordan stated the defendant continued to abuse the officers saying: “It's my daughter's wedding and you won't tell me what to do. F**k off, no one will arrest me.” He was then arrested.

The inspector told Judge Owens the defendant had 17 previous convictions, primarily for road traffic and public order offences.
Solicitor Brid Mimnagh said her client's behaviour was atypical, “He is so sorry for his behaviour. He doesn't normally behave like this. He has great respect for the Gardaí.”

Ms Mimnagh said Mr Reilly was celebrating his daughter's wedding and had drunk too much. She pointed out that his last public order infringement was over 15 years ago.

“He was the senior man,” Judge Owens said, “he should have led by example.” Ms Mimnagh said this was accepted and Mr Reilly was aware he was “out of order”.

Judge Owens indicated she would adjourn the matter to June 13 next and said Reilly should make a donation of €500 to the Lus na Gréine Family Resource Centre in Granard before that date. The defendant was remanded on continuing bail.