Man in court after he head-butted window of Kilkenny Gardaí's patrol car

A man with 81 previous convictions has been before Kilkenny District Court.

Gary Doran, 8 Springfield Park, Carlow, pleaded guilty to new public order offences and a theft charge.

On July 27, 2025, Mr Doran took alcohol worth €18.40 from Circle K on the Waterford Road. He made no attempt to pay and left.

On July 23, 2025, at 8.34am, gardaí received a report that there was a man highly intoxicated and stumbling at MacDonagh Train Station.

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Mr Doran was arrested for his own safety. He was placed in the patrol car and became highly aggressive, headbutting the car window.

Solicitor Chris Hogan said his client had asked him to apologise on his behalf.

Mr Doran was released from prison in April 2025 and ‘struggled’, and went back to his old ways, the solicitor said. The majority of his client’s previous convictions were because of his addiction.

This was a ‘wake up call’ and Mr Doran has changed since. He is engaging with a substance misuse team. Mr Hogan said it is clear from talking to him that he is no longer drinking or taking substances.
Mr Doran is prepared to undertake a Community Service Order.

Judge Geraldine Carthy adjourned the matter to a court in May for a Probation Report to be prepared.