Longford man who was highly intoxicated and hostile 'knows he has stay off the drink'

A defendant with 21 previous convictions “knows he has to stay off the drink”. Shane McGrath (36) of 9 Cairn Hill View, Drumlish pleaded guilty to public intoxication on March 16 last.

Sergeant Enda Daly told the court that at 11.05pm officers responded to calls about a disturbance outside a public house on Ballymahon Street, Longford.

When the Gardaí arrived they encountered a male outside a public house. He was highly intoxicated and hostile to passing members of the public.

The male, Mr McGrath, was directed to leave the area, but refused to do so. The defendant was arrested for his own safety.
Solicitor Frank Gearty explained that Mr McGrath had been engaging in St Patrick Day celebrations, having been at the parade earlier in the day.

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Mr Gearty outlined how his client was off drink for a period before this incident, but had decided to “drown the shamrock”.

“He is now back on the wagon now,” the solicitor explained. Mr Gearty accepted that the defendant had 21 previous convictions, and said: “He knows he has to stay off the drink.”

Concluding matters Judge Bernadette Owens registered a conviction and imposed a fine of €150, giving Mr McGrath four months to pay the fine.