This article is from page 12 of the 2012-04-24 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 12 JPG
A MAN who taunted another man over his family’s difficulties with suicide has been fined € 200.
Michael Molloy (19), with an address at 2 Ballaghboy, Quin Road, Ennis, appeared at Ennis District Court on Wednesday.
He was charged engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace.
The charge arose out of an incident at Abbey Street, Ennis on March 10 (2012).
Garda Niamh Browne told the court that Ennis Garda Station received a call about two men fighting outside All Bar One on Abbey Street on the night in question.
She said that when she arrived at the scene at 10.15pm, Mr Molloy was involved in an altercation with another man.
Garda Browne said she arrested the accused under section six of the public order act.
She told the court that as Mr Molloy was being brought away by gardaí, he sang lyrics about suicide from a song by the American artist Sean Kingston in the direction of the other man.
The court heard that a member of the other man’s family had committed suicide.
Mr Molloy told the court that he had been out for a drink with his wife.
He said he had been standing at the front door of the pub when he was hit in the back of the head.
He said, “I wasn’t going to let that go. I was defending myself.”
Mr Molloy accepted that he was uncooperative on the night. He said the pair had been calling each other names but denied singing songs about suicide.
Mr Molloy said he had previously been involved in altercations with the man.
Inspector Tom Kennedy said Mr Molloy had been fighting on the street when he was detected by gardaí.
Judge Patrick Durcan said Mr Molloy had given evidence that he was “set upon” on the night.
However he added that it was “curious” that no complaint had been made to gardaí.
He said he accepted Garda Browne’s evidence.
Judge Durcan said Mr Molloy had engaged in “appalling singing”.
Solicitor Daragh Hassett said Mr Molloy comes from a large Traveller family and had recently married.
He added, “He assures me he is staying away from this man. He has a young child.
“He won’t be repeating this behaviour.”
Judge Durcan imposed a fine of € 200. He said suicide was a problem that touched everyone in society.
He added, “I am not going to have people singing songs that abuse the issue of suicide.” Recognances were fixed in the event of an appeal.