A 19-year-old man was before Castlebar District Court where he faced public order charges, one of which was the obstruction of gardaí.
On August 15 2010, Garda Sharon Casserly stopped the van of Charlie McDonagh, 35 Cois Abhainn, Castlebar, on the Turlough Road at 11.19pm. Garda Casserly told the defendant that she was seizing the van in relation to another road traffic matter.
McDonagh closed the van’s window, refused to speak to Garda Casserly, and then he made a call on his mobile phone. The garda knocked on the driver’s window several times. McDonagh finished his phone call, then partially opened his window and said that his vehicle would not be seized.
The defendant refused to leave his van and another garda opened the van’s door by sticking his hand through the window. McDonagh remained in the vehicle.
McDonagh’s mother and brother then arrived at the scene and the defendant threw his keys to his brother, who, when asked, handed them to Garda Casserly.
On May 18 2011 at 10pm, Garda Olive Longeran went to speak to McDonagh following a complaint about his behaviour.
McDonagh was abusive towards her and he kept talking as she tried to caution him. He was “right against my face”, the garda said, and after he was cautioned he told the garda to “stick it in your pipe and smoke it”.
Judge Conal Gibbons said that for gardaí to be insulted and abused “in this disgraceful fashion”... “is so shocking”.
The judge said that “this behaviour is intolerable,” and “I cannot allow the gardaí to be treated like that.”
McDonagh apologised in court to the gardaí. The defendant has two previous convictions.
Judge Gibbons convicted and sentenced the defendant to a total of six months in prison.
