A drunk man who climbed into a manhole in the street that workmen were working on was hoping to claim compensation for claimed injuries, Galway District Court was told this week.
Judge John King heard that the defendant, Paul Kavanagh, 43 Glen Abhainn, Athlone was so drunk when he got into the hole that he had to be helped out of it by Gardaí who were called to the scene.
He was charged with a public order offence.
The Court was told that on August 19 last Kavanagh was in a drunken state. He climbed into the open manhole in full view of those working on it and members of the public. He then sat down in the manhole and tried to fake injury. He became irritated and claimed he had fallen in as a result of the negligence of the work crew.
He got even more irritated and belligerent when Gardaí arrived and helped him out, and actively resisted arrest.
Defending solr Jack Donoghue pleaded his client was 41 and the father of three children. He accepted he had alcohol issues.
Judge King was told the defendant had 23 previous convictions and had been imprisoned in the past for public order convictions.
He was arrested on other matters on December 20 and spent Christmas on remand in prison.
A five-month sentence (suspended ) was imposed and a two-year probation, beginning when he concludes the sentence he is currently serving.
The Judge recommended he seek help in prison for addiction issues and to continue this process throughout the probation period.
“I’m giving you a suspended sentence but if you come back in here during that two years, then the five-month sentence will be served,” Judge King warned him.
This article is funded by Comisiún na Meán.
