“You’re on the right path now with a new job, well done and keep it up,” a judge told a defendant with 63 previous convictions who appeared before her on public order charges.
Judge Fiona Lydon made her comments when Philip McLoughlin (42 ), of no fixed abode, appeared before her at Galway District Court.
The defendant was charged with being drunk in public, engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour and assaulting a Garda.
Prosecuting Garda Sgt Damien Prendergast said the assault charge could be withdrawn. He said McLoughlin was found drunk on the date of his arrest in the city and was highly abusive and aggressive towards Gardaí who were dealing with him.
His barrister said McLoughlin wished to apologise to the Gardaí involved for his behaviour, adding that when sober his client was “the nicest person you could meet.”
The defendant told the judge that he had a chance of a job in Dublin and he intended taking this up.
“You can pay a fine then?” Judge Lydon asked, and he assured her he would as soon as he was working.
The judge imposed a fine of €500 on the threatening and abusive charge, with anything else taken into consideration and eight months to pay.
“You’re on the right path now with a new job. Well done and keep it up,” the judge told him, and he thanked her warmly before leaving the court.
