Shirtless man was 'roaring and shouting' in Portlaoise

Gardaí arrested a shirtless man who was ‘roaring and shouting’ after attending a funeral.

Hugh Nevin (37) of Greenview, Portlaoise, was arrested for being intoxicated and behaving in a threatening or abusive manner at Greenview on March 25, 2026.

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby told a sitting of Portlaoise District Court that Gardaí had “observed this gentleman shirtless, roaring and shouting” at Greenview at 8.20pm.

“He was shouting and roaring and became aggressive,” said Sgt Kirby. He said Gardaí had to handcuff the man who had 94 previous convictions. He said the man was ‘ok’ when he sobered up.

Solicitor Philip Meagher said his client had little or no recollection of what had happened.

He said the man had been at a family funeral earlier that day and had “over-imbed”. He said the man acknowledged that it was no way to mark a man’s death.

“He asked me to apologise in open court for his behaviour,” said Mr Meagher. He said his client was “particularly concerned and fearful in the context of his previous convictions”.

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Mr Meagher said his client had been working in the UK until recently and was extremely apologetic.

Judge Susan Fay asked if the man would be suitable for community service.

“It is his intention to return to the UK,” said Mr Meagher, who told Judge Fay he did ground work. He explained that the address in Greenview was the man’s mother’s house.

Judge Fay said “there is plenty of work for groundspeople in Ireland”.

Mr Meagher said the man had only been home for a visit and was going back to the UK.

Judge Fay then asked if the defendant had any money for the local Tidy Towns.

“He tells me he doesn’t have any money immediately available,” said Mr Meagher.

“My hope would be that he gives something back to the community,” said Judge Fay.

The man told Judge Fay that he didn’t have any money.

She then imposed a two month sentence which she suspended for two years.