A MAN spat in the face of a Garda and made sick threats against the officer’s wife after being arrested.
John Paul Boyle (35), of Ard Crone, Dungloe, was before Letterkenny District Court on a charge relating to the incident.
Boyle was charged with assault of the Garda at Letterkenny Garda Station on March 7, 2020.
Boyle was in a cell in the station at the time.
Sergeant Gerard Dalton told the court that the cell window was down and Boyle spat on the Garda.
Boyle made threats against the Garda, telling him that he would rape his wife.
The accused has previous convictions for threats to kill or cause serious harm, criminal damage, assault and using threatening or abusive behaviour.
Solicitor Mr Frank Dorrian said his client wished to tender ‘an unconditional apology’ to the Garda.
“He had a great deal of adversity in his own life and he was heavily addicted to alcohol,” Mr Dorrian said. “This event represents a break of four years of abstinence. His reaction is poor when he drinks.
“This was a relapse and he has no conceptions as to what he was doing. He was arrested primarily for being drunk and then he is presiding over this mess when he wakes up in the morning. He can’t put it into any contest other than it was a relapse beyond his control.”
Mr Dorrian said his client moved to Sweden where he gained employment. Covid-19 has paused that for the time being, but Boyle aims to return, Mr Dorrian told the court.
Judge Deirdre Gearty said: “It’s very disappointing that he finds himself back in this situation. It is behaviour that I couldn’t condone on any level.”
Judge Gearty adjourned the case until November 15 to allow for the preparation of a Probation report.