A Bohermore man who drunkenly screamed abuse at staff demanding his money back and putting members of the public in fear has been banned from entering any Mulholland’s Bookmaker branches and received a two month suspended sentence.
John Ward (28 ) with an address at 4 St Finbarr’s Terrace, Bohermore, was brought before Galway District Court on Monday where he pleaded guilty to being intoxicated in a public place and threatening and abusive behaviour at Mulholland’s Bookmakers, Cross Street, Galway, on May 10, 2010, and to threatening and abusive behaviour at Cill Ard, Bohermore, on May 17, 2010.
Inspector Ernie White told the court that at 6pm on May 10 the defendant had been drunk and abusive to staff at Mulholland’s Bookmakers and was aggressively demanding his money back. On May 17, at midnight, Ward turned up at the house occupied by his ex-partner and her mother. The court heard that Ward was demanding to be let in to see his ex-partner and their child, that he was extremely aggressive, and people in the house were frightened.
The inspector said that Ward has 24 previous convictions which include public order, road traffic offences, and possession of drugs.
Defence solicitor Valerie Corcoran said that her client had been extremely drunk on both occasions. She added that Ward was genuinely apologetic.
Judge Mary Fahy replied that it was serious that Ward put members of the public at the bookmakers in fear because of his behaviour. She convicted Ward and imposed a two month sentence which was then suspended for 12 months on condition that he enter into a bond of €500 to be of good behaviour and to stay away from Mulholland’s Bookmakers in Cross Street and all its branches during this period.
