Man was intoxicated and aggressive in Portlaoise

A suspended sentence was handed down to a man who was intoxicated in Portlaoise. 

PJ O’Shea (32) of 20 O’Moore Place, Portlaoise was approached by gardaí at Newpark, Portlaoise on May 15 last at 12.40am. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the defendant was “stumbling around” and became aggressive towards gardaí. He was arrested and gardaí discovered a small quantity of drugs in his possession. 

The defendant was subsequently accused of being intoxicated in public and engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour at Newpark, Portlaoise on May 15, 2025 and possession of cannabis at Abbeyleix Garda Station on the same date. 

Solicitor Barry Fitzgerald said his client was pleading guilty. He said the man was serving a sentence with a release date of May 16, 2026. Mr Fitzgerald said his client had entered an early guilty plea and he asked that his time in prison not be extended. 

Judge Andrew Cody imposed a two month sentence which he suspended for two years. He granted legal aid and ordered the destruction of the drugs during the sitting of Portlaoise District Court.