Man was abusive to pub door staff and gardaí in Laois

A man admitted being highly abusive to door staff and gardaí a pub in Laois. 

Aidan Byrne (29) of 86 St Brigids Place, Portlaoise, appeared before Portlaoise District Court accused of being intoxicated and engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour on August 5 last at 1.16am. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the accused “was highly intoxicated” and aggressive towards security staff and gardaí who responded. He said the man had ten previous convictions which were mainly of a minor nature. 

Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said “this man drinks too much and when he drinks too much he is bad company”. She explained that he had been refused admission to Coppers on the night. She said he had apologised to gardai on his release. “I appreciate the apology was really due to the bouncers on the night,” she said. 

Ms Fitzpatrick said her client was working full time and hadn’t been out in a long time prior to the incident in August. 

“He appreciates that he shouldn’t drink and it really doesn’t suit him,” she added. 

Judge Susan Fay requested that the man be assessed for community service. When he was deemed suitable, she imposed 80 hours of community service in lieu of three months in prison.