A MAN described by a Judge as a bully for abusing and threatening a Council Community Warden was given a five-month prison sentence, suspended for two years on strict behavioural conditions, when his case came before Judge Vincent Deane at a special sitting of Tuam District Court.
Judge Deane told prosecuting Garda Michelle Hallinan that if he repeated his abusive behaviour either towards a warden or Co Council staff the matter should be brought to his immediate attention and he would have no hesitation in implementing the sentence.
The Court heard how Brian Ward, 41 Cold Cave Crescent, Tuam became extremely agitated when he found a ticket on the windscreen of his car which was parked at the Shambles carpark in the centre of Tuam on November 12.
He approached the warden, shouting and behaving in a very aggressive manner, throwing the ticket on the ground. He had to be dragged away by a friend. It turned out that what he assumed was a parking ticket was one for failure to display a valid tax disc.
He turned up at the County Council office the following day and the Gardaí had to be called to deal with his aggressive behaviour towards staff there.
The Judge was told the warden was extremely stressed during and after the events and did not want Ward ever to approach him again.
Sean Acton solr (defending ) said it was a stupid reaction, especially as his client had mistaken a tax ticket for a parking one.
His client is 31 and has five children. He was a landscaper, painter and decorator and apologised for his behaviour.
Judge Deane summing up said: “Let’s be very clear. This man was doing his job as so many people have to do. What Mr Ward was doing was bullying. He wants a different law to apply to him than everyone else. He just decided he’ll bully his way out of this.”
He imposed a five-months suspended sentence on condition that he have no contact with his victim, only attend the Council office by appointment and he keep the peace and be of good behaviour.
If any of these conditions are breached in the next two years he was to be brought back before the Court and the sentence would be activated.
