A 25-year-old Belcarra man who drove customers out of a Castlebar pub, after he stood on the bar counter and smashed glasses around them, was in Castlebar District Court on Wednesday to face criminal damage and public order charges.
Inspector Martin Byrne outlined that on July 13 at 5.30pm, gardaí were called to Coady’s Bar on Linenhall Street, Castlebar, where they observed Vincent Joyce, Doonamona, Belcarra, standing on top of the bar smashing pint glasses all over the floor. The intoxicated man had caused all the patrons of the bar to flee.
The owner of the bar made a statement to gardaí where he said that after he refused to serve Joyce the defendant jumped up on the bar counter and smashed about 80 glasses. The tile flooring was damaged and the estimated total criminal damage cost was €1,808.
Joyce has 13 previous convictions.
His solicitor Lynda Lenehan said that the defendant had a drink problem, which he is trying to deal with, and is also currently accessing psychiatric services. Ms Lenehan said that €1,700 by way of compensation was available in court.
Judge Conal Gibbons said “this behaviour is unacceptable” and it is “shocking stuff”. The judge said that Joyce cannot put people in fear with his violent behaviour, and he said that the owner of the pub had a hard enough time getting customers in, due to the economic climate, never mind Joyce driving customers away.
Judge Gibbons sentenced the defendant to a total of six months in prison.
