A 22-year-old man who was threatening and abusive towards gardaí in Castlebar Garda Station was brought before Castlebar District Court on Wednesday.
Garda Michael Conway outlined that on February 15 this year there was a report to gardaí about a Traveller dispute near the Traveller’s Friend Hotel, Castlebar.
Garda Conway observed a number of Travellers in the hospital grounds opposite the hotel and directed that they leave the area, and they all complied. However on his return to the Garda station, a number of Travellers arrived in the foyer where they began roaring and shouting and asking about details of an acquaintance who had been arrested. The garda told the court that none of the people in the station appeared drunk.
The pregnant wife of Martin McDonagh, 67 McHale Road, Castlebar, asked to use the toilet and was brought by a female garda to use the facilities. McDonagh then demanded to know where “my f**king wife is”, before he banged on the Garda office door demanding to go to the toilet. He was subsequently arrested at 2.40am. When McDonagh was presented with the charge sheets he threw them on the ground and said “do whatever you f**king like with it”.
McDonagh, who has no previous convictions, apologised in court and was convicted and fined €100 by Judge Mary Devins.
