This article is from page 6 of the 2006-01-10 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 6 JPG
A MAN became agitated at a garda station after the officer he was looking for was not available, and then refused to leave, Ennis District Court has heard.
Dermot Tuohy, of 19 An Páirc, Bruach na hAbhainn, Ennis, failed to comply with the direction of a garda at Ennis Garda Station on December 23.
Inspector Tom Kennedy told the court the accused went to Ennis station looking for Sergeant Michael Haran. Garda Lisa McDonagh told him to wait and he got agitated and refused to leave.
“He was insistent on seeing Sgt Haran, who was not available. He kept banging on the hatch door and ringing the bell. He was quite aggressive and refused to leave. He refused to listen to her (Gda McDonagh’s) explanation,” said Inspector Kennedy.
Defending solicitor Billy Loughnane said his client had met with Sgt Haran in relation to a particular problem, four or five weeks earlier. That particular problem reemerged on that day and he went to see Sgt Haran again to discuss it.
The solicitor said his client was highly embarrassed and apologised to the court. He said he was willing to make a contribution to the court poor box.
Judge Joseph Mangan said he would dismiss the charge under the Probation of Offenders Act in the mitigating circumstances, if €100 was paid and this was paid in court.