A man who was found asleep in a stranger’s car at Athlone railway station after being refused admission to a bus for being too drunk, was fined €250 in the District Court this week (February 2 ).
Inspector Nicholas Farrell told the court how gardai were called to Athlone railway station at 4.50pm on December 9 where they found Martin Wade (36 ), of 42, Donomore Avenue, Killenarden, Tallaght, Dublin 24 asleep in the boot of a car not his own.
“He was quite intoxicated,” said the inspector.
“Who found him there?” asked Judge David Anderson.
“Staff at the railway station,” clarified Inspector Farrell.
Wade had three previous convictions, the court heard, with two for public order, and one for criminal damage. The most recent of these was from the District Court in Athlone on January 21, 2009, for which he was fined €100.
His solicitor, Mr Tony McLynn, explained how, though his client was single, his former partner and his child still lived in Athlone and “he has regular access”.
“He recently moved back to Dublin to live with his parents, and is helping his mother care for his father who is suffering with Alzheimers,” said Mr McLynn.
“On the day in question he was returning to Dublin but was refused access to the bus and had to find somewhere to sleep. He regrets using the man’s property,” said Mr McLynn.
“My client accepts he has a chronic drink problem and has attended AA in the past,” he continued.
Judge Anderson accepted this and fined Wade €250, and gave him four months to pay.
