Man avoids jail for verbally abusing Kilkenny gardaí

A suspended prison sentence has been handed down to a man for whom community service had not had the desired effect.

Before Kilkenny District Court was Joe McLoughin, Cleenagh, Ballymagan, Buncrana, Donegal. He was charged with being intoxicated in public and with using threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour.

On February 8, 2022, Mr McLaughin was observed acting in an aggressive manner towards door staff at a Kilkenny pub. He was highly intoxicated and verbally abusive to gardaí, when approached.

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Due to his level of aggressiveness and intoxication Mr McLaughin was arrested at John’s Bridge, handcuffed and taken to Kilkenny Garda Station.
The court heard he had 28 previous convictions.

Solicitor Ed Hughes said the facts were accepted and his client was apologetic to the court and gardaí for his actions that night.
Mr McLaughin had an ongoing difficulty with alcohol, the solicitor said. He was alcohol free for significant periods but on this occasion was not in a good state.

When he woke up in the garda station he apologised to the gardaí. His client was embarrassed to be in court, Mr Hughes added. Mr McLaughin hopes not to drink again, it is an ongoing struggle, the solicitor said.

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Judge Geraldine Carthy said the court noted the defendant has a challenging relationship with alcohol.
Previous community service orders had not had the desired effect, Judge Carthy said, convicting Mr McLaughin of using threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour. She imposed a prison term of two months, to be suspended for 12 months. Mr McLaughin was directed to engage with the Probation Services and attend any therapeutic appointments offered.
The charge of being intoxicated in public was taken into consideration.