Suspended jail term for public order breaches
The defendant pleaded guilty to the offences.
A man has appeared in court for repeated breaches of the Public Order Act.
Thomas Lawrence, aged 45, of 25 Fr Meehan Place, Castlebar pleaded guilty at the local district court to charges arising out of two incidents.
The court was told he has 10 previous convictions, all under the Public Order Act.
Gda Inspector Shane Fitzmaurice told the court that the defendant was found in a drunken state in the SuperValu car park on August 13, 2025, with a cut to his head.
Gardaí attempted to help him but he refused all help and became very abusive and aggressive towards the gardaí and other members of the public who were passing by during the incident.
He refused to calm down and continued to be abusive and aggressive for some time, leaving the gardaí with no option but to arrest him.
Two days later, on the night of August 15, Lawrence was found asleep in the SuperValu car park. He was very intoxicated and had to be arrested for his own safety.
Solicitor Gary Muchrone said the source of his client's problems are with his "escalating" alcohol addiction, which he has failed to address. Prior to one of the incidents before the court, Lawrence had consumed a bottle of vodka.
Mr Mulchrone said his client is a father of five children but is no longer in the family home. He is currently serving a prison sentence in relation to an incident that occurred in Athlone and is due for release on March 7.
The defendant told Judge Deirdre Gearty he would like to be able to attend a family event that is coming up.
Judge Gearty said the defendant needed to make efforts to overcome his alcohol addiction.
She imposed a one-month term of imprisonment, which she suspended for 12 months, warning the defendant: "You have 12 months to keep your nose clean."
- Published as part of the Courts Reporting Scheme.
