Drunken man who intervened in row between two women gets arrested
A DRUNKEN man who intervened in a row between two women was arrested when he became “highly abusive” to gardai who investigated the incident.
Patrick Lawrence was sentenced to one month in prison for public order offences.
Blanchardstown District Court
Lawrence, aged 28, with an address at Liffey Hall, Liffey Valley, Lucan pleaded guilty to public intoxication and engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour at Liffey Valley Shopping Centre, Clondalkin on May 9, 2020.
Garda Michael Dunne told Blanchardstown District Court the accused was outside the Clayton Hotel, Liffey Valley at 3.39am.
He was arguing with “two females” in the middle of the road and became highly aggressive when approached by the gardai.
He was shouting “f**k off” at gardai, was very unsteady on his feet and had to be assisted in standing. Lawrence appeared to be “heavily under the influence of an intoxicant” and was arrested, Garda Dunne said.
The garda agreed with solicitor William Cadogan, defending, that once the accused got back to the local garda station, there was “no trouble out of him.”
“This was a case of too much drink,” Mr Cadogan said. “Drink caused this.”
The garda agreed that Lawrence had apologised to him at the station and before court.
On the night, there was “some sort of dispute” and Lawrence intervened, Mr Cadogan said. This was not the correct thing to do, it got worse and “one thing led to another.”
Mr Cadogan asked the judge to consider not imposing convictions and to allow the accused to make a charity donation instead.
Judge McHugh said Lawrence had initially pleaded not guilty but when the case came for hearing, he entered a guilty plea.
“This gentleman is going to prison today,” Judge McHugh said. He set recognisances in the event of an appeal.
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