A 27-year-old Galway man was given a five months suspended sentence for his “out of control” behaviour which included attempting to spit at and bite gardai.
Alan McMahon, with an address at 118 Clareview Park, Galway, appeared at Galway District Court charged with being intoxicated in a public place and obstructing a peace officer at Eyre Square on December 27, 2009.
The court heard that McMahon had been observed stumbling and staggering around Eyre Square and when gardai approached him he became abusive, telling them to f**k off. Three gardai were needed to arrest McMahon but he continued to be aggressive even when handcuffed and placed into a patrol car. On the way to the station, McMahon violently elbowed gardai, spat at them and even attempted to bite them.
Defence solicitor Valerie Corcoran said that McMahon, who has six previous convictions, many for public order, had on this occasion consumed a “substantial amount of alcohol”. Ms Corcoran added that McMahon has been unemployed for a long time and is “genuinely sorry” for his behaviour.
“His behaviour was so out of control,” said Judge Mary Fahy who imposed five months jail and suspended it for 12 months on condition he enter into his own bond of €500 to be of good behaviour. McMahon was also fined €300.
