Abusive toward gardaí and security at Laois nightclub

A man admitted lashing out at gardaí and abusing security staff in Portlaoise.

Jonas Baguckis (40) of 34 Rathevan Close, Portaloise admitted being intoxicated and engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour at Market Square, Portlaoise on December 28 last. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the defendant was drunk and began verbally abusing door staff at Coppers nightclub at around 12.45am on the date in question.  He said when gardaí arrived the man began “lashing out” at them. 

Sgt Kirby said “when he sobered up he was alright.” He said the defendant had four previous convictions which were all traffic related. 

Solicitor Barry Fitzgerald said his client was pleading guilty to the offences. He said the defendant was a Lithuanian national who “obviously had copious amounts of alcohol on the date in question.”  Mr Fitzgerald said his client was otherwise of good character and has been living and working in Ireland for 20 years.

Judge John Brennan noted “he did lash out at a garda” as he described it as a serious incident particularly for security personnel at Coppers and gardaí. 

Judge Brennan also noted the fact the defendant was an otherwise hard working man. He said if €200 was paid to the court poor box he would apply the probation act.