A 25-year-old man who skipped the queue in the Galway Garda station’s public office and roared abuse at a garda, calling her a prostitute, has been sentenced to a total of two months in jail.
Tom Folan (25 ) with an address at 42 St James Crescent, Mervue, pleaded guilty to being intoxicated in a public place and threatening and abusive behaviour at Eyre Square and at Galway Garda Station on November 11, 2009. A charge for obstruction of a peace officer was withdrawn.
Inspector Pat McHugh told the court that at 12.20am in Eyre Square the defendant had been seen acting in a suspicious manner and was searched; however he became aggressive and was conveyed to Galway Garda Station but was later released.
Folan then returned to the station some time later and entered the public office where Garda Linda McManus was on duty. The court heard that Garda McManus was trying to deal with a member of the public who was suicidal when Folan skipped the queue and starting roaring at her, demanding for his driving licence to be returned to him. He then became more abusive and roared at Garda McManus: “You fucking prostitute, give me my licence or I’ll burst down this door, you bitch”. The commotion alerted other gardai who came to Garda McManus’ assistance.
Inspector McHugh then informed the court that Folan has 26 previous convictions which include a four year sentence for robbery in January 2006 and other offences such as assault causing harm, theft, and public order.
Defence solicitor Thomas McHale said that his client is pleading guilty to threatening and abusive behaviour at the garda station but does not accept he used “that exact language”. Mr McHale added that Folan had been kept at the station to sober up and that he didn’t realise at the time it was for his own safety. He said that Folan, who is a father of one child, is successfully dealing with his drink and drugs problems and has completed a bar management course.
After hearing the evidence Judge Aeneas McCarthy convicted Folan and imposed a total of two months in jail. Leave to appeal was also granted.
