Offender was ‘nuisance’ to himself and the public
The man had presented to Gardaí several times in an intoxicated state and was described as "a nuisance."
A man who failed to appear before the court on four occasions and faced a number of public order offences has received a suspended jail sentence.
Thomas Lawrence, of Fr Meehan Place, Castlebar, pleaded guilty to the charges before a sitting of the local district court.
He failed to appear in court on four occasions after bench warrants were issued and was also charged with three public order offences.
At 6pm on July 15, 2022, Gardai received reports of a drunk man walking in front of traffic at Humbert Way, Castlebar. Lawrence was found sitting on the footpath in an intoxicated state.
On December 10, 2021, Gardai were called after Lawrence started banging on the door of his ex-partner’s caravan in Ballina. He was drunk and was unable to stand or speak properly.
On December 26, 2021, Gardai were called to a halting site in Ballina where Lawrence was again intoxicated. He was walking around the site, swaying and unsteady on his feet.
Solicitor Tom Walsh said his client was a ‘nuisance to the public and a nuisance to himself.’ The solicitor said Lawrence’s drinking got out of control after he separated from his wife.
Mr Walsh said Lawrence has been ‘dry for some time’ and now lives in sheltered accommodation in Co Roscommon.
Judge Vincent Deane imposed a two-month suspended sentence for failing to appear in court and took the other matters into consideration.
