A young man learnt it wasn’t a great idea to go night swimming while intoxicated, a court heard.
Mark Mabbott, Ratheenduff, Cuffesgrange, Co Kilkenny, was handed a €70 fine at Kilkenny District Court last week for intoxication in a public place.
Garda Kinsella told Judge William Harnett that on May 11, 2008, he had been called to John Street where he saw the defendant jumping from John’s Bridge into the river Nore.
Gda Kinsella went to the river bank where he met the defendant who he said had no clothes on except for his ‘bare boxers’ and he was soaking wet.
When Gda Kinsella asked what he was doing, the defendant answered, “going for a swim.” Gda Kinsella said there was a strong smell of alcohol from Mr Mabbott and he was unsteady on his feet.
Mr Mabbott was then brought to St Luke’s Hospital for a precautionary check-up and was summonsed on a public order charge.
“Do you like to go swimming at 12.15am in your boxers?” Judge Harnett asked the defendant. “What propelled you into the water? Was it drink?”
Mr Mabbott acknowledged that he had made a stupid mistake and said he now realised it was not a good idea to go swimming at 12.15am.
The court heard the defendant was working as a plasterer and had no previous convictions. He was ordered to pay a €70 fine.
