A 41-year-old married father of five, who when arrested kicked a garda in the face, was convicted, fined, and given a suspended sentence at Ballina District Court on Tuesday.
On November 27 2009, gardaí were informed that a male refused to leave a residence on Corcoran Terrace, Ballina. John McGinty, Teeling Street, Ballina, who was so intoxicated he was being held up by a woman, became aggressive and abusive when he saw gardaí.
The defendant hit out at the gardaí and when restrained and placed in the Garda car he kicked Garda Petrina Devery in the face.
The defendant told the court that he was off alcohol for three years and only drank on the day of the incident. McGinty said that he suffers from schizophrenia and is undergoing psychiatric treatment and sincerely apologises for his actions.
The defendant, who has previous convictions, was convicted and fined €500 and sentenced to prison for six months, suspended for 12 months.
