Drinking at bus stops in Eyre Square is “very intimidating for the public who are entitled to wait for their bus without being confronted by people with cans”, said Judge Mary Fahy before fining a local man €900.
Sixty-year-old Michael Loughnane with an address at 73 Ard Alainn, Ballybane, appeared at Galway District Court last week and pleaded guilty to being intoxicated in a public place and with failure to obey the orders of Garda Claire Burke on July 18, 2008, at Eyre Square.
Garda Burke told the court that when she was on duty in Eyre Square she observed the defendant sitting at a bus stop at the top of the taxi rank drinking a can of cider and she directed him to leave. However, later on that day, at around 3.20pm, a member of the public approached Garda Burke complaining that the defendant was back at the bus stop drinking and that people waiting for their buses couldn’t sit down. Garda Burke directed him to move away from the vicinity, and confiscated the can. Loughnane became abusive to Garda Burke, refused to leave, and was arrested.
Defence solicitor Sean O’Cearbhaill said that his client “was in the habit of drinking in Eyre Square” and could give no “logical” explanation why he did not leave the place when directed to do so.
“He seems to think he has some claim,” said Judge Mary Fahy.
Mr O’Cearbhaill said that Loughnane, who is married, frequents Eyre Square for social reasons. He added that the defendant accepts the Garda evidence and will not be drinking in the area in the future.
Judge Fahy replied that “drinking a can of cider at the bus stop is stretching socialising”. She then warned the defendant that if he is found “drinking or misbehaving” in Eyre Square again he is going to go to jail. The defendant was fined €800 for failing to obey Garda orders and €100 for the other charge and given three months to pay both.
