Judge says Laois hotel staff are victims of man who was drunk and abusive at nephews wedding

A man who was drunk and abusive at a Laois hotel has been given the chance to engage in restorative justice with the hotel staff. 

Bernard Sweeney (45) of 76 Droim Chaoin, Rahoon, Galway, was accused of being intoxicated and engaging in threatening or abusive behaviour at the Midlands Park Hotel, Jessop Street, Portlaoise on March 24, 2026. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the accused was “highly intoxicated” and “irate” when Gardaí were called to the hotel at 1.25am. 

“He was making threats and being abusive towards members of the public in the hotel”, said Sgt Kirby. He said the man had 37 previous convictions but estimated that 80 percent of these were road traffic related. 

Solicitor Philip Meagher said his client, who was pleading guilty, had not been involved in public order offences in well over 10 years. 

He said the man, who is in receipt of disability, was attending a nephew’s wedding on the date in question. He said the man wouldn’t normally drink at all but had mixed his drink with medication. 

Mr Meagher said his client returned to the hotel the following day and apologised. He said the man was “genuinely remorseful” over the incident. 

Judge Susan Fay said “this hotel in Portlaoise, these people are trying to provide a service and run a business”. She described the matter as disturbing and said she wanted to refer the matter for restorative justice. 

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Judge Fay said the injured party in this case were the staff and management at the hotel and he could engage with them through the restorative justice process. 

“They might be able to make him understand the impact that behaviour had”, said Judge Fay. 

She granted legal aid, ordered restorative justice and adjourned the case back to Portlaoise District Court on July 6.