A man who jumped out in front of a Garda car twice in a short period of time is facing a prison term as he is currently serving a suspended sentence from another court case.
Jamie Ward of 59 Churchview, Ballinrobe, pleaded guilty in Claremorris District Court this week to a number of public order offences in Ballinrobe on June 3 last. Garda Donal Raftery told the court that on June 3 at 1.49am he was in the Garda patrol car on Bowgate Street in Ballinrobe when a man jumped out in front of the car, then stuck his middle finger up at the gardaí inside. The garda stopped the car and got out and spoke to the man. He could smell alcohol from the man and Ward was unsteady on his feet. He then directed him to go home which Ward refused to do, so he was issued with a fixed penalty fine. He also shouted at a passing car while Garda Raftery was speaking to him.
Continuing his evidence Garda Raftery told the court that a short time later he was on patrol in the car further up the town when Ward once again jumped out in front of the Garda car and shouted at him that the gardaí were not going to make him go to court, Garda Raftery once again directed Ward to leave the area and he again refused so Garda Raftery arrested him. The court was told that Ward is currently serving a suspended sentence from a court in Dublin, so Judge Mary Devins remanded him on bail to appear in court in Dublin.
