A man who walked naked through a rural village was given a month in jail in the District Court this week (October 17 ), but will not do any additional time as the judge ruled this sentence run concurrently with the nine months he is currently serving.
Gardaí were called on the afternoon of June 13 after a busload of ICA women returning from a day out in Knock reported a completely different type of apparition on the streets of Curraghboy, Co Roscommon after they observed a man wearing only a pair of boots.
When gardaí attended they discovered Gerry Fallon (53 ) of Ardmullen, Kiltoom, Athlone in a heavily intoxicated state “with his shirt off, totally naked”.
“How long was he parading au naturel?” asked Judge Seamus Hughes.
“I don’t think it was long,” said Inspector Nicholas Farrell.
“It was a very warm day, judge. I had me underpants on,” said Fallon.
Because the arresting officer was not in court to clarify the contradiction, Judge Hughes gave the benefit of the doubt to Fallon.
“That’s no different from anything I’d see on any West of Ireland beach,” said the judge.
“Oh, he’d be very far from a beach in Curraghboy,” noted his solicitor, Mr Paul Connellan.
“Mr Fallon, you’re a nicer man when you’re sober,” said the judge, before noting Fallon’s birthday was in January, and roughly coincided with his expected release date.
“You’ll probably have a huge thirst then,” said the judge.
“Ah, no. I’m pulling meself together,” said Fallon.
Earlier, Mr Connellan explained how his client attended court from jail after having received a nine month sentence on July 25, and had an expected release date of January 3.
In June a frustrated Judge Hughes ordered the appearance of the Governor of the Midlands Prison to explain his policy of temporary release to the court because Fallon continued to be given it once he sobered up, but continued to rack up subsequent convictions to a total of over 200.
Because of this Judge Hughes ordered Fallon not be considered for any temporary release when he sentenced him to the nine months the following month, and asked why this offence had not been included in the sentencing of July 25.
Mr Connellan explained how this offence occurred prior to the July sentencing, and the charge hadn’t been served until October 3.
