A man who got carried away with St Patrick’s Day celebrations, punching a bouncer when refused entry to a city centre nightclub, received a five-month suspended sentence this week and was further lambasted by a district court judge for daring to apply for legal aid.
After imposing the sentence Judge Mary Fahy gave the 25-year-old defendant a further verbal thrashing for having the audacity to apply for legal aid and expecting the taxpayers of Ireland to pay for the consequences of his “binge”.
Andrew McNamara, with an address at 60 Leafarm Road, Leeds, England, and 18 Ard Na Coille, Ennistymon, Co Clare, appeared at Galway District Court on Monday charged with being intoxicated in a public place, threatening and abusive behaviour, and assault at Carbon nightclub, Eglinton Street, Galway, on March 18, 2011.
Inspector Brendan Carroll told the court that at 1.30am gardai received reports of bouncers having trouble with a man who was refused entry. He said that McNamara, who was very intoxicated, continued to try to force his way in and punched one of the bouncers, injuring his right eye. Inspector Carroll said that McNamara has previous convictions for public order offences in October 2006 and one other for a minor road traffic offence.
The defendant’s solicitor said that his client has been living in England for a number of years and had been home for a family event. He added that McNamara hoped to return to England in time to start a new job.
“Why did you come to Galway if there was a family event in Clare? He comes here and punches someone,” said Judge Fahy.
The solicitor explained that on the date in question McNamara had paid someone else to get stamps for the nightclub so that he and his family could get in if it was busy. However, when he arrived the bouncers refused him entry and he became irate because he had already paid.
“There are other clubs... He has just about sobered up since St Patrick’s Day. He went on a huge bender and looks the worst for wear for it,” said Judge Fahy. She then noted that there would be a difficultly in imposing a fine as it was McNamara’s intention to leave the country. “He hasn’t a notion of paying,” she said.
“I will do everything in my power to pay. I just want to get back to my life in England,” said McNamara.
After consideration Judge Fahy imposed a five-month sentence for the assault, suspended for two years on condition that he entered into a bond of €500 to be of good behaviour and to stay away from Galway city and county. A fine of €200 with three months to pay was imposed for being intoxicated in a public place.
McNamara’s solicitor then made an application for legal aid, to which Judge Fahy responded: “It’s a bit Irish to come over to Ireland, go to a family event, and drink his way through St Patrick’s weekend and then expect the taxpayers to pay for it. Legal aid is refused. It’s an outrage, his audacity to think that the taxpayers of Ireland will pay for his binge.”
