Man tried to kick Laois Garda 

A man who tried to kick a Garda near the site of a car crash was in Laois meeting up with friends from addiction treatment, a court was told. 

Kevin Shine (29) of 37 An Seanline, Fethard, Co Tipperary was accused of obstruction and being intoxicated in public at Junction 15 of the M7 Cappakeel in Laois on December 21, 2025. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said Gardaí responded to a traffic accident and discovered the driver intoxicated close to the scene at 8.20pm on the date in question. He said the defendant “became abusive and insulting towards Gardaí”. 

Sgt Kirby said the man “attempted to kick one of the guards” and was arrested. He told the sitting of Portlaoise Court that the man had 20 previous convictions. 

Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said her client was pleading guilty. She explained that her client had “an over reliance on alcohol” and had attended treatment. She said he has building and construction qualifications but wasn’t currently working as the company who employed him had run out of work. 

She said the man had left addiction treatment early because his partner was heavily pregnant. 

When the incident occurred in Portlaoise, “he was visiting friends that he met through treatment, ironically” said Ms Fitzpatrick. 

Judge Susan Fay said she would give the defendant a chance. She ordered a probation report, restorative justice and a community service suitability assessment and adjourned the case to Portlaoise District Court on June 8.