A 19-year-old Cong man who had a serious cocaine and alcohol problem was warned this week at Claremorris District Court that only a very good probation report would stop a judge imposing a prison sentence on him.
Barry Ward, Gortarrow, Cong, pleaded guilty to public order and assault charges in court relating to an incident that occurred on November 11 2009. Inspector Joe Doherty, outlining the facts of the case, told the court that on the night in question gardaí in Ballinrobe spoke to Ward on a number of occasions and told him to go home. At 2.45am they once again ordered him to go home but he refused to do so and he was arrested and put in the Garda car and brought to Claremorris Garda Station. While in transit to the station, he started to smash his head against the window of the car and bite his lip, causing him to bleed. He then proceeded to spit blood at the gardaí in the car and told them that he would give them the Aids virus.
Ward continued to be aggressive and abuse gardaí in the Garda station where he was placed in a cell, and while he was in the cell he smeared blood on the walls. The court was told that Ward has since cleaned up his act and is currently getting treatment for his problems. Judge David Anderson adjourned sentencing on the issue until April 19 2010, but warned Ward that only a very positive probation report would stop him from imposing a prison sentence.
