A man seeking to have his car returned after it was seized by gardai became “out of control” and spat at a hatch in the Garda station while calling the officer on duty “a dirty, rotten, filthy pig”.
Thomas Keally, 31 and with an address at St Molina’s Park in Newry in Co Down, pleaded guilty at Macroom District Court to the public order charge which arose last summer.
Sgt Trish O’Sullivan told Judge James McNulty that in June last year a vehicle was seized by gardai with regard to road traffic matters and that subsequently Mr Keally had gone to Macroom Garda Station, seeking to have the vehicle returned to him.
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Mr Keally, who the court heard is a tarmacadam contractor who works on both sides of the border, claimed ownership of the vehicle but the Garda on duty was not satisfied at the time, on June 7 last year, with the documentation produced. The judge heard that no insurance documents or driver’s licence was produced.
Sgt O’Sullivan said that during the course of the exchange Mr Keally became very aggressive and began shouting. He called the Garda on duty “a dirty, rotten, filthy pig” and also spat on the perspex guard at the hatch in the public area of the station, where Mr Keally’s brother and a small child, as well as a member of the public, were also gathered.
The court heard that Mr Keally was “out of control” and was arrested. He had 11 previous convictions including one dating from last year in Co Limerick for an assault.
Mr Keally’s solicitor, Sean Cahill, said the defendant was “genuinely ashamed” at what had occurred and was apologetic.
Mr Cahill said the documentation, such as the insurance certificates and the drivers licence, were in order but were UK issue, hence the difficulty in producing them at the Garda station. However, Judge McNulty asked why that meant a public servant had to “take the brunt of his frustration and offensive conduct”.
“He has form,” the Judge said.
Judge McNulty convicted Mr Keally on the Section 6 Public Order charge and fined him €1,000.
The outstanding matters in relation to vehicle and driver registration will return before the court in September for verification, with Mr Keally released on bail to attend again on September 6 next.
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