Two men who became embroiled in a physical altercation with gardai during a drunken incident in Letterkenny have been given a chance to avoid convictions.
Letterkenny District Court heard how Jamie Dowd attempted to open a garda patrol van after his friend John Morrow was arrested.
Morrow, of Silverwood, Ballybofey and Dowd, of Mark House, Stranorlar, appeared before Letterkenny District Court in connection with the incident at Lower Main Street, Letterkenny, on January 19, 2025.
Sergeant Jim Collins told the court that Gardai observed Morrow “highly intoxicated, unsteady” and acting in an aggressive manner to members of the public at 3.32am.
Sergeant Collins outlined that when instructed to leave the area, Morrow told Gardai to “fuck off”. As officers moved to arrest him, Morrow got involved in a physical altercation with the members.
He was subsequently arrested and conveyed to Letterkenny Garda Station.
Solicitor Mr Michael Shiel said his client instructed him to tender a guilty plea.
“He doesn’t remember much about it at all,” Mr Shiel said. “It is not in his form to do that. He did apologise before he left the garda station. When he sobered up, he saw the error of his ways.
Judge Éiteáin Cunningham said the physical altercation with guard members was “concerning”.
“I am not impressed at all with how he conducted himself,” Judge Cunningham said, adding that Morrow should consider himself “very lucky” that she would consider a donation to charity in the case.
Sergeant Collins outlined how Dowd tried to intervene after Morrow was arrested and placed into a garda van.
“He was to open the van to release him,” Sergeant Collins said. He said the circumstances with Dowd’s arrest were similar while there was “a bit of physicality” involved.
Mr Frank Dorrian, solicitor for Dowd, said his client was “delivering a protest about the other gentleman having been arrested.”
Both men were charged with obstructing a peace officer in the execution of his duty, contrary to section 19 (3) of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994.
In the case of each accused Judge Cunningham said she would apply the Probation Act if they made a €300 contribution to Donegal Hospice. A default order of a conviction and a €400 fine was set down for both men.
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