COURTS: A man threatened to throw Gardaí off a bridge and caused damage to a Donegal bar during a drunken rage.
Paul Martin, 28, with an address at 72 Forge Avenue, Ballintra appeared at Letterkenny District Court yesterday morning charged with public order offences and criminal damage.
On the 7th May, of this year, the defendant was ejected from The Cavern Bar just before 1am for being in an intoxicated state.
However, Mr Martin kicked at the front door of The Cavern Bar and caused €100 worth of damage.
Management contacted Gardaí, the defendant attended the station the next morning and made a statement in relation to the incident.
On May 22nd of this year, Gardaí were alerted to a disturbance at 4.45 am at Long Lane, Letterkenny.
The court heard how Gardaí found a male lying intoxicated in the front garden outside a home in Long Lane.
The male was Paul Martin, and he was barely able to stand, he wasn’t very forthcoming with Gardaí and was acting confrontational.
He then told Gardaí that he would throw them round the place and throw them off the bridge, he was subsequently arrested after failing to co-operate with Gardaí.
The defendant had 44 previous convictions with offences ranging from sale and supply of drugs, criminal damage, theft and a disqualification from driving for eight years.
Solicitor for the defendant said his client had a serious issue with alcohol, but had taken steps to rectify the issue and has found employment as a chef.
Mr Gallagher said, “He was in a long-term relationship, and is a father-of-two – he accepts and admits he has a serious issue with alcohol.
“His life fell apart around him at the time of these incidents, but he’s back on track now, he’s in contact with his sponsor and attends daily AA meetings.
“All his previous offences were alcohol related, but he was co-operative with Gardaí in relation to these incidents and as I said has his life back on track.
“He is now sober and is working as a chef in a hotel, and he is also finishing off the final year of a catering course in Killybegs which is run in conjunction with LYIT.”
Judge Paul Kelly requested a probation report and a community service report on the defendant – and adjourned the case until November 17th.