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02 Jan 2026
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02 Jan 2026
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A 'highly intoxicated' man who had also consumed pills and who became 'aggressive' when he was confronted by gardaí at Longford Train Station has been fined €250 and given ten months to pay.
47 year-old Michael Johnston of 1 Moxwell Court, Cootehill, County Cavan but who was of no fixed abode at the time of his offence appeared before a recent sitting of Longford District Court where he stood accused of being intoxicated in a public place and engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour on September 30 this year.
The incident occurred at 8.15 in the evening. Mr Johnston, a father of three, was arrested on the day by Garda Shaun Harrison of Longford Garda Station.
When asked of Mr Johnston’s previous convictions, Sgt Mahon said the last conviction was before Ballinasloe District Court In June of this year where he was fined in relation to two public order matters.
The sergeant added that the accused had 19 previous convictions, all of which “seem to be related to intoxication.”
Representing Mr Johnston on appointment by Niall Fox Solicitors was barrister Aileen O’Gara who told the court that her client had “found himself in unfortunate circumstances.”
She said he had recently divorced his wife. She added that he had previously received treatment for alcohol and substance abuse in Cuan Mhuire which he had found helpful at the time.
She explained that Mr Johnston was on social welfare and had been homeless until five weeks earlier when he secured accommodation in Cavan.
Judge Owens, in noting the accused’s change of circumstances from ‘no fixed abode’ at the time of the offence to his current address of an apartment in Cavan, remarked on the progress he had clearly made in the short period since.
Obliging Ms O’Gara’s request for a fine with time to pay, Judge Owens convicted Mr Johnston and fined him €250 with 10 months to pay.
Read More: 'Exceptional' prisoner who teaches other prisoners to cook pleads guilty to €3m Longford arson
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