‘Atrocious’ language used towards local gardaí Kilkenny Court told as man convicted

Using ‘atrocious’ language and ‘unacceptable’ behaviour towards gardaí has resulted in a conviction for one man, at Kilkenny District Court.

Barry Joseph O’Sullivan, Newtownbert, Athy, Co Kildare, was charged with road traffic offences as well as public order offences, following an incident on October 22, 2025.

At 11.07pm gardaí observed a vehicle acting suspiciously at Ballymartin, Borris. They spoke to Mr O’Sullivan who had a “confrontational attitude.” He was charged with road traffic offences including not having tax or insurance.

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A short time later, at 12.05am, gardaí observed the same vehicle stopped in the middle of the road ‘without any apparent reason.’ The vehicle was seized.

Mr O’Sullivan became ‘unruly and abusive’. He was directed to leave the area by the gardaí but failed to do so. After the direction was issued, Mr O’Sullivan returned to his vehicle and closed the door. He began recording the gardaí and used language the sergeant would not go into in court.

Mr O’Sullivan activated the alarm on the vehicle. Gardaí had no choice but to arrest him, the sergeant said.

Solicitor Tertius Van Eeden said his client is 21 and a father of two. He bought the vehicle a few days before he was stopped. There was a problem with the log book, meaning he couldn’t tax it. It was subsequently sold.

The solicitor said it was accepted the ‘atrocious’ language was uncalled for. He said his client had never been in trouble before and asked the court to take into account the early plea. Mr O’Sullivan was upset at a personal matter and ‘was not in his right mind, he was agitated’.

Judge Geraldine Carthy said Mr O’Sullivan’s behaviour was an aggravating factor in the case. Convicting him of driving without insurance, the judge imposed a fine of €300 and disqualified the defendant from driving for two years.

For failing to comply with the directions of a garda he was fined €400. Other matters were taken into consideration.