A 47-year-old depressed schizophrenic, with 23 previous convictions, has been fined €200 for roaring insulting abuse at a garda in the station’s public office.
Alan Steele with an address at 26b Ballybrit Court, Ballybrit, was brought in custody before Galway District Court yesterday and pleaded guilty to public order offences.
Inspector Ernie White told the court that on May 9, 2010, at 5pm there had been eight people, including children, queuing in the public office of Galway Garda station when the defendant started roaring abuse to the garda in charge. The court heard that Steele shouted at her: “Hurry up you stupid bitch... I’m in a hurry.” On a separate occasion gardai were called to Wolfe Tone Bridge where the highly intoxicated defendant was found asleep. He was arrested for his own safety and conveyed to Galway Garda station.
The court then heard that Steele has 23 previous convictions, the vast majority for public order. The last conviction was in April of this year for which he received a three month sentence.
Defence solicitor Valerie Corcoran said that her client has difficulties with alcoholism and has also been diagnosed a manic depressive and schizophrenic. She said that Steele has been doing his best to deal with his difficulties and over the past 10 years has moved from place to place but is now in rented accommodation. Ms Corcoran stressed that the offences committed by Steele never involve violence.
For threatening and abusive behaviour Judge Aeneas McCarthy convicted the defendant and fined him €200. The other charge was taken into consideration.
