A Muff man who got involved in a drunken altercation during last year’s Clonmany Festival will escape a criminal conviction under the Public Order Act if he makes a small donation to charity.
Chris O’Donnell, of Valley View, Carnamoyle, Muff, admitted a charge of being intoxicated in public at Carndonagh District Court.
Solicitor Frank Dorrian told the court that his client has since returned to Australia but had instructed him to enter a guilty plea on his behalf.
Sergeant Emmet Brady presented the evidence against the 26-year-old defendant.
He revealed how Garda Brian Gallagher was on patrol at Main Street, Clonmany during the early hours of Saturday, August 10, 2024, at 2.50am, when he observed an intoxicated male in a verbal altercation.
The male was identified as the defendant, Chris O’Donnell. He was unsteady on his feet and his speech was slurred.
Garda Gallagher formed the opinion that Mr O’Donnell had consumed intoxicating liquor to such an extent that he was a danger to himself and others around in his vicinity.
He was arrested and a fixed charge penalty notice was later issued in respect of the Public Order offence, but it was not paid.
Sgt Brady told the court that Mr O’Donnell has no previous convictions.
Defence solicitor Dorrian said the reason the FCPN was unpaid was “because this young fellow was home from Australia” at the time and has since gone back there.
“He travelled to Clonmany for a night out, and he was highly intoxicated. The summons did catch up with him, but there’s no pattern of this,” Mr Dorrian said, adding that his client is currently in Melbourne.
Judge Ciaran Liddy said he’ll strike the matter out if Mr O’Donnell pays the sum of €150 to the Buncrana Children’s Charity before the next court sitting on July 15.
The judge imposed a default order of a conviction and a €150 fine if he fails to pay, however.
Mr Dorrian said he would contact his client’s mother and ask her to ensure that the charity donation is made in time.