Longford bookies staff activated panic alarm when customer 'lost his head' over unpaid bet

A Longford resident, who 'lost his cool' over a bet in a local bookmakers and took his anger out on staff, has been convicted.

Michal Makula of 9 Church Street, Longford appeared in the local district court last week where he pleaded guilty to two public order breaches.

Sergeant Mark Mahon, said Gardaí responded to a panic alarm at Boylesports at 12pm-midnight on November 27, 2023 and on arrival they met and spoke with staff members.

"They informed gardaí that the panic alarm was activated due to a male customer having had a disagreement with staff over a placed bet and that was to be paid out but the bet wasn't permitted.

"Michal Makula started acting in an aggressive manner and he became irritated and he threw a cup of water and a cup of sugar sachets at a staff member."

Sgt Mahon said at 12-midday on March 29, 2026 security at Super Valu in Longford contacted the gardaí to say a man was trying to get into cars in the car park.

"Gardaí went to the scene and viewed the footage and they observed a man getting into a vehicle without the permission of the owner.

"There was no damage to the vehicle and no items were taken from the vehicle, which was unlocked."

Mr Makula was later arrested and he fully cooperated with gardaí.

The defendant had 29 previous convictions.

Solicitor Diarmuid Quinn, said his client had been in the bookie's and he spent €120 on a roulette machine.

"It printed a ticket which in his mind stated that he won €360 and that was brought up to the desk.

"I don't know the technical reason why they wouldn't pay out, but they wouldn't and there was a disagreement that ensued and he lost his cool and he accepts that.

"He had spent quite a bit on it and he thought he had finally made some money back on it.

"Unfortunately for him the anger got the better of him but he did calm down when Gardaí arrived and he was regretful and ultimately cooperative."

Judge Bernadette Owens noted Mr Makula's early guilty plea and she imposed a €200 fine with six months to pay.

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