A Ballybane teenager, with 75 previous convictions, was given a further five months’ detention this week after he resisted arrest, broke a garda officer’s mobile phone, and spat on the patrol car seat.
Nineteen-year-old Frankie McDonagh with an address at 19 Sliabh Rua, Ballybane, appeared at Galway District Court yesterday and pleaded guilty to being intoxicated in a public place, threatening and abusive behaviour, resisting Garda David O’Connor during arrest, criminal damage of the driver’s seat of a garda patrol car and a mobile phone belonging to Garda O’Connor.
Inspector Sean Glynn told the court that at 7.40pm on October 6 at Fana Glas, Ballybane, the defendant was observed on the roadway in an area where there were a number of people. He said that McDonagh was shouting, roared obscenities to gardai, and when directed to leave the vicinity he refused and put his hand inside his jacket.
When Garda O’Connor attempted to arrest the defendant a glass bottle was found inside his jacket. During arrest this bottle fell and broke on the ground and Garda O’Connor’s mobile was also broken during the struggle. When McDonagh was placed into the patrol car the defendant was “kicking out and spat on the seat”. Inspector Glynn added that there was a need to call for back up and that the defendant had 75 previous convictions.
The defendant’s solicitor told Judge Mary Fahy that alcohol did not agree with McDonagh. The court also heard that the defendant was currently serving a 25 month sentence (release date in April 2010 ) and that he had lodged an appeal but later withdrew it. The solicitor added that these latest offences occurred which he was “out between sentences”.
“Resisting arrest is a serious offence and it was quite vigourous,” said Judge Fahy, adding that the defendant “has been down this road before”.
Judge Fahy then imposed a total of five months in jail and a fine of €100, payable forthwith.
