A man who failed to appear on a charge of public drunkenness has been charged the maximum fine allowed in the District Court.
Judge Hughes noted that Mindaugas Burba (53 ), currently of no known address in Mullingar hadn’t bothered to appear in court so he imposed the €500 fine.
Garda Scott Kahler told the judge he had visited Burba’s last known address at his daughter’s home at Petitswood Manor but she didn’t know where he was.
The garda said she had described her father as “having substantial issues” and said he is no longer at her home.
On June 29 this year he was found drunk at the Canal Line.
Garda Kahler was on patrol when he found Burba passed out at around 4pm.
There was a strong smell of intoxicating liquor and it was difficult to wake Burba.
When he did wake, he had difficulty standing and was slurring his speech.
Because this is an area of high footfall and Burba was a danger to himself and others, he was arrested.
He has 14 previous convictions for public order and road traffic offences, and the garda agreed that Burba appears to be very fond of drinking and did not believe he is currently working.
Judge Hughes asked if the Canal Line is a hotspot for drinking, and Garda Kahler agreed that it is, especially in the recent hot weather.
But he also added that it’s a problem at any time of the year, especially because a lot of people walk in the area with their dogs and children.
