A Westmeath man, who was so insistent on shaking the hand of a taxi driver that he was threatening, has been ordered to pay €300.
Twenty-year-old Jimmy White of Jenkins Way, Ballinderry, Mullingar, Westmeath, has been ordered to pay €300 when he appears in court again on May 5 next.
White appeared at Galway District Court last Monday where he pleaded guilty to threatening and abusive behaviour at Eyre Square on October 20, 2009.
Inspector Michael Coppinger told the court that at 8.25pm in Eyre Square the defendant was seen interfering with a taxi by gardai. The taxi driver had been trying to pull away but the defendant was insistent on shaking hands. “The driver didn’t want anything to do with him but he was insistent,” said Inspector Coppinger.
The defendant’s solicitor said that his client, who is a final year Arts student, had taken a lot of drink on the night in question and was very apologetic. He said that White had learnt a lot from being before the court and realised that his behaviour had been inappropriate.
Judge Mary Fahy remanded White on continuing bail to May 5 for the payment of €300 and the preparation of a Garda Behaviour Report. She added that the Probation Act might be considered.
