A case in which a teenager flicked a lit cigarette butt at a garda has been adjourned for the preparation of a Probation Services Report.
Aaron Higgins (18 ) with an address at 116 Coiste Na Mara, Oranmore, was brought before Judge Mary Fahy last Monday and pleaded guilty to being intoxicated in a public place, threatening and abusive behaviour, and for failing to give his name and address on November 8, 2008, at Frenchfort, Oranmore.
Garda Aidan Quinn gave evidence that at 12.40am on the Old Dublin Road he stopped a number of youths and started taking down their details, however, the defendant who was highly intoxicated failed to give his name. Garda Quinn asked Higgins for his name three times and he continued to refuse to co-operate.
When Garda Quinn asked a fourth time Higgins, who has no previous convictions, “flicked a lit cigarette butt” at him.
“To flick a lit cigarette at anyone, not to mention a garda, is totally unacceptable,” said a shocked Judge Fahy.
“I had too much to drink,” explained the defendant. His father said that he had been unaware of the cigarette incident but that his son was “in general a good lad”. He apologised for his son’s behaviour.
“You didn’t think this was serious enough to even go to a solicitor,” replied Judge Fahy, who warned that a conviction could be a serious blot on the young man’s record. She advised the defendant to seek legal advice.
The case was later adjourned to June 15 for the preparation of a Probation Report.
