An 18-year-old Leaving Cert student who resisted arrest and obstructed a garda was before Ballina District Court this week.
On November 19 2011 at 11.30pm, gardaí on foot patrol on O’Rahilly Street, Ballina observed a male strike out at two men outside a pub.
Keith McLoughlin, Foigha, Kenagh, Longford was directed to leave several times, however he failed to do so. As gardaí tried to arrest him he lashed out at a garda in order to obstruct the arrest. He was forcibly placed in the car.
John Gordon, solicitor for the defendant, said that his client had been at a friend’s 18th birthday party in Ballina, accompanied by his mother. Mr Gordon said that McLoughlin got involved in a row outside the pub and his client thinks that his drink may have been spiked.
McLoughlin, who has no previous convictions, apologised to gardai the day after the incident and also apologised in court. The defendant told the court that he hopes to study medicine after his Leaving Cert.
Judge Devins directed that €500 be paid to the Garda Benevolent Fund or a charity of choice of the arresting garda. This was paid and the Probation Act was applied.
