The judge sided with the wife of an unemployed father of four in the District Court last week (November 6 ) in an effort to keep him out of pubs.
Kenneth Hanlon (24 ), from Grange Meadows, Mullingar was facing three public order charges after his arrest on Oliver Plunkett Street at around 2.10am on October 26.
According to evidence given by Inspector Jarlath Folan, Hanlon “approached the gardai and became abusive. He was directed to go home but failed to do so and continued using abusive language”.
“He is most apologetic to the Gardai but very apologetic to his wife and children,” said his solicitor, Redmond O’Regan. “He is mortified by what happened.”
The court heard how Hanlon, who has no previous convictions, had been unemployed for two years. “If you wish to go to the marketplace of life and spend taxpayers’ money that was meant for your wife and children you will go to jail,” said Judge John Neilan before fining Hanlon €200 and warning him: “You’ll never get this [chance] again”.
Mr O’Regan then told the judge his client would be willing to “submit to a voluntary barring order” from the licenced premises of the district.
Judge Neilan turned to Mrs Hanlon, who had accompanied her husband to court and asked her would he do it. “He has no choice,” said Mrs Hanlon.
The judge then ordered the defendant not to set foot in any licenced premises in Court District No.9 (Mullingar ) for 12 months from midnight of November 6. He then addressed Mrs Hanlon. “If in the future he says he’s gone out to walk the dog and you think he’s in the pub, you call the Guards,” said the judge.
