Man arrested in Portlaoise on Christmas Day vomited in Garda Station cell 

A man who was arrested for being intoxicated on Christmas Day vomited on a garda station cell.

Shane Fitzgerald (41) of 8 Greenview, Mountmellick Road, Portlaoise admitted being intoxicated, engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour and possession of drugs at his address on Christmas Day 2025. He also admitted causing  criminal damage to a cell at Abbeyleix Garda Station on December 26, 2025. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the criminal damage charge related to vomit on a cell which cost €200 to clean. 

He said the defendant was highly intoxicated, unsteady on his feet and looking for a fight at 10pm on Christmas night. When Gardai approached the man became abusive and had to be arrested,  said Sgt Kirby. 

He explained that drugs valued at €20 were discovered in the man’s sock during his arrest. 

“During the course of his time in the cell he vomited and it had to be cleaned,” he said. Sgt Kirby told the sitting of Portlaoise District Court that the man had three previous convictions which had occurred a long time ago. 

Solicitor Barry Fitzgerald said his client was originally from Dublin. He said the man, who is in a relationship in Portlaoise, attended a party on Christmas Day and had a falling out with his partner’s brother. He said the man was “completely agitated” and was a nuisance but he described the offending as an "aberration” and said the man had brought €120 to court. 

Judge Susan Fay said Gardai had to attend to the call and someone had to clean the cell.  

“I am sure that there was nobody very excited about having to spend Christmas Day at Abbeyleix Garda Station”, she said.  

She ordered restorative justice and adjourned the matter back to Portlaoise District Court on June 22 for finalisation.