Court hears children would have been “disturbed” by vomit covered man in Laois

A man was found covered in vomit and urine outside a cafe on the Dublin Road in Portlaoise. 

Thomas McGarry (65) of 77 Marina Court, Athy, Kildare pleaded guilty to being intoxicated and engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour at Dublin Road, Portlaoise on July 7 last. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the defendant had “absconded from treatment” in the hospital and was found outside Brew Cafe on the Dublin Road at 3.30pm.

Sgt Kirby said the man was highly intoxicated, covered in urine and vomit and was drinking a bottle of wine. He said the man had 12 previous convictions.

Andrew Doyle BL said his client was pleading guilty and doesn’t dispute his dependency on alcohol.

Mr Doyle said the man had been clean for seven years but had lost his wife to Covid four years ago and had relapsed into alcohol addiction. 

“I would ask the court to be as lenient as possible,” he said. 

Judge Susan Fay wanted to know if the man was making an effort to remain clean and she suggested he might benefit from the assistance of the probation services. 

“I am minded to order a probation report,” she said. 

She said it was “quite a serious offence given the time of day. There would have been children on their summer holidays,” she said. 

“If children saw that they would be disturbed,” she added. 

“I am trying to get back to the residential treatment centre,” the defendant said. 

Judge Fay put the matter back to Portlaoise District Court on February 24 for a probation report.