A Ballina man was ordered to pay €150 to the Garda benevolent fund after he was convicted of a public order offence in Ballina District Court.
Garda John Quinn told the court that he arrested Edward McDonnagh, Kilmoremoy, Ballina on July 20 2008 at 4.25am at McDermott Street, Ballina. Garda Quinn told the court he was on patrol duty that night and he got a call to go to a disturbance at McDermott Street. When he got there, there were a number of men drinking and singing. McDonnagh approached the car and Garda Quinn told him to keep quiet and to break it up, to which McDonnagh replied to come back in two hours, they’d be finished then. Garda Quinn stated that he then told him to stop it immediately after which McDonnagh became aggressive and told him that he’d stick a needle in him and give him AIDS and he was only a scumbag.
Continuing his evidence Garda Quinn said that McDonnagh continued to be very aggressive and it took five members of the Gardaí to control him and get him into the car. McDonnagh pleaded guilty to the charge and apologised to Garda Quinn in court and Judge Devins ordered him to pay €150 towards the Garda benevolent fund.
