A former security employee at Shell’s Glengad site was convicted at Ballina District Court on Tuesday for public order offences.
On Friday July 10 this year at 3.25am, Garda John Barrett, while on mobile patrol, observed John Nicholls, 14 Baracklone Street, Portarlington, Laois, stumbling onto the road at the Lower Bridge, Ballina.
Garda Barrett spoke with the man, who was in an intoxicated state, but the defendant wouldn’t give the garda a straight answer when asked his name, and when he was directed to leave the scene by Garda Barrett, Nicholls shouted out, “you lazy ba***rds”. Gardaí left the area but returned and Nicholls was still in the vicinity. The defendant waved the gardaí on as they drove by and shouted out once again “you lazy ba***rds”.
Nicholls, who has no previous convictions, represented himself and apologised for his actions. Judge Mary Devins convicted and fined Nicholls a total of €600.
