A 47-year-old Sligo man, who after being released from custody became extremely abusive and violent at Galway Garda Station before urinating on the wall outside, was fined €550 this week.
Joseph Burke with an address at Achonry, Ballymoate, Co Sligo, appeared at Galway District Court on Monday where he pleaded guilty to public order offences including being intoxicated, failing to comply with Garda directions, and disorderly conduct on November 14 2010.
Inspector Ernie White told the court that at 4.30am in Eyre Square the defendant was found to be in such an intoxicated state that it was necessary to arrest him for his own safety. At 8.30am at Mill Street Garda Station Burke was released from custody but continued to loiter around the public office and refused to leave the area when directed to do so by gardai. The inspector explained that there “had been some issue with his property”. The defendant’s coat was given to him, however when a garda went outside Burke was found to be urinating on the wall.
Burke was directed to leave the area but later that same day, at 10am, he came back to the station and proceeded to be verbally abusive and again refused to leave. “He tried to kick the glass door of the public office,” said Inspector White.
Defence solicitor Olivia Traynor said that when initially released from custody her client’s jacket with his wallet had been left behind. She said that Burke had come to Galway to meet some people but that that did not happen and he instead went drinking by himself. Ms Traynor added that Burke is now receiving counselling regarding his issues.
Noting that Burke has no previous convictions, Judge Mary Fahy convicted the defendant and fined him a total of €550 with five months to pay.
