Kerry man thought garda station was B+B
A KERRY man who was so drunk he fell asleep in the public area of the garda station believing it to be a B+B was last week ordered to sign a bond promising to keep the peace for two years.
At last week’s district court, Timothy Cronin, 88 Iveragh Park, Killorglin, Kerry, was warned by Judge Catherine Staines that his purpose was “not to entertain the public”, after he played to the crowd when his mobile phone went off in court.
Cronin was facing two public order charges relating to June 29 this year. Inspector Martin Harrington gave evidence that gardaí attended the People’s Park in Portlaoise at 9pm, where a number of youths were drinking and causing a nuisance. Cronin was present in a highly intoxicated state and he refused to leave the scene when directed.
Cronin was also charged that on September 13, the night before last week’s court, he fell asleep on a bench at 3am in Portlaoise Garda Station and had to be wakened. He was in a highly intoxicated state and fell to the ground when he tried to get up.
“He said he thought he was in a B+B,” the inspector said. The inspector told Judge Staines that Cronin has 29 previous convictions and there is a suspended sentence hanging over him for no insurance.
Defence, Ms Elaine Dunne said her client had been in Portlaoise on the night of June 29 for a stag do and while the group were waiting for a taxi “they found themselves in the park”.
In relation to the incident at the garda station, Ms Dunne explained that her client had been in Portlaoise to attend his court date the next morning and he couldn’t get a bed and breakfast to stay in.
“He thought he could stay in the garda station,” Ms Dunne said. Ms Dunne concluded by saying that her client works as a carer for his own mother and cannot look for gainful employment.
“Do you accept you have a drink problem?” Judge Staines asked Cronin.
“I do indeed,” he replied.
“And what are you doing about it?” she asked.
“Drinking more,” he said.
Cronin was ordered to sign a peace bond and he must attend alcohol treatment and abstain from drink. The matter was put back for a probation report, with Judge Staines telling him:” You can’t take great care of your mother if you’re drinking.”
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Saturday 25 May 2013
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