A Glasson man who drunkenly referred to two female gardaí in obscene terms, and claimed that “women shouldn’t be allowed in the job”, was fined €400 in his absence in the District Court this week (June 1 ).
The court heard from Garda Emer Finn how she and a colleague were on duty on Church Street, Athlone in the early hours of May 2 when their attention was drawn to the “highly intoxicated” Shane Brennan (21 ), Killinure, Glasson.
“He was shouting ‘youse are nothing but c***’ and that ‘women shouldn’t be allowed in the job’,” said Garda Finn.
“I wonder how Mr Brennan feels about the latest [Government] initiative for quotas for women politicians?” mused Judge Seamus Hughes.
“It would be nice to have him here in court to see if he has changed his point of view. So he continued with this line [of abuse] after arrest?”.
“Yes, judge, but he seemed like a decent fellow when he sobered up,” Garda Finn generously conceded.
Despite having no previous convictions, Judge Hughes was left with no choice but to fine him €400 on the public order conviction, as neither Brennan nor his legal representation made any appearance in court.
Brennan has two weeks from the date of conviction in which he can lodge an appeal against the judge’s ruling.
