A 22-year-old, with 12 previous convictions, who gave a garda the finger and told him he was a “Northern Irish c***” was before Castlebar District Court this week.
Keith Ring, 48A Garryduff Drive, Castlebar, was observed by Garda William Grant on June 3 at 8.37pm at the Mall, Castlebar. Ring raised his middle finger at Garda Grant and said “f*k you Willy, you f***ing wanker”.
The garda said that Ring, who was intoxicated, was frothing at the mouth and his pupils were dilated. When arrested the defendant continued to be abusive. When in the station Ring told gardaí present “I hope your f***ing mother gets cancer”.
Solicitor Aidan Crowley said that his client was at Old Head drinking that day and continued when he came back to Castlebar. He suggested community service would be a better deterrent than prison. Judge Mary Devins directed that a community service assessment report be prepared for September 1 and if Ring were deemed suitable he would serve 200 hours community service in lieu of three months in prison. Judge Devins also convicted and fined him €400.
