Dad’s case struck out after €250 paid to Garda fund
A DAD who was abusive to gardai after he was brought to Ronanstown Garda Station by a taxi-driver was let off with a strike-out by Blanchardstown District Court after he paid €250 to the Garda Benevolent Fund.
Sean Duff, aged 35, with an address at St Marks Gardens, Clondalkin, pleaded guilty to engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour at Ronanstown Garda Station on March 10, 2018.
Sergeant Maria Flanagan told Judge Miriam Walsh that at 11.50pm on March 10 last, a taxi man had Duff in his cab.
The taxi-man found Duff to be drunk and decided to take him to Ronanstown Garda Station.
When they arrived at Ronanstown Station, Duff got out of the taxi and proceeded to be verbally abusive to the gardai. Duff was later arrested.
Sgt Callaghan said Duff had some previous convictions for road traffic offences but none for public order.
Duff’s solicitor, Simon Fleming, said his client is a hard working man and this was a one-off incident.
He said Duff has one son and he lives with his father in Clondalkin.
He said that three generations of the same family live in the house, Duff, his father and his son.
He said that on the night in question, Duff went out and had too much to drink.
He asked the judge to leave Duff without a conviction.
Judge Walsh said she would strike out the case if Duff paid €250 to the Garda Benevolent Fund.
The donation was later paid and Judge Walsh struck out the charge.
