Drunk man tried to direct Portlaoise traffic before fleeing into Church

A drunk man who was directing Portlaoise traffic fled from Gardaí into a church, a sitting of Portlaoise District Court was told. 

Stephen Malone (54) of 60 Buttercup Avenue, Esker Hills, Portlaoise pleaded guilty to being intoxicated and engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour at SS Peter and Paul’s Church, Portlaoise on January 19, 2026.  

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said Gardaí responded to reports of a “suspected intoxicated male standing amongst traffic” at 6.04pm. He said the man was unsteady on his feet and had been trying to direct traffic. 

Gardaí arrived and the man ran into the church and became aggressive and had to be arrested. Sgt Kirby said the man had seven previous convictions and all related to public order matters. 

Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said her client had mental health and alcohol addiction issues. She said he had been off drink for 17 months but events in the United States had upset him and he turned to drink. 

She said the man had previously worked in London directing traffic and in his intoxicated state, “he felt traffic on the day needed directing”. She said the man had informed her that he wanted to attend treatment. 

Judge Susan Fay noted the early plea and referred the accused to the probation service for community service suitability assessment. She adjourned the matter back to Portlaoise District Court on June 15 and said the defendant could undertake 60 hours of community service in lieu of two months if found suitable.