Kilkenny defendant who used racial slurs has Mike Tyson tattoo

A defendant who racially abused a security man had his case adjourned at Kilkenny District Court for sentence.
Terry Walsh, 63 Riverview, Ardnore admitted to being intoxicated in a public place and the engaging in threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour at RoseInn Street on January 1.
Sergeant Alma Molloy told the court that on the date in question the defendant was on RoseInn Street and was intoxicated and was shouting abuse at a security man.
“He was shouting offensive names to a member of staff who was coloured,” she said.
When asked by Judge Colin Daly the nature of the abuse he said that the defendant had called him ‘a f****g n****r.”
The court heard that the defendant continued to be abusive after he was arrested and was also abusive to a member of the public who spoke to the gardaí. The defendant called the member of the public ‘a rat’ and remarked that he ‘would remember theirface’.
Solicitor Chris Hogan told the court that his client accepts that his behaviour was unacceptable.
“It is unacceptable that someone should be subjected to racial abuse.
“My client says that he is not a racist and he has a tatoo of Mike Tyson on his arm,” remarked Mr Hogan adding that his client has an issue with alcohol and drugs at the time of the offending behaviour.
“He has written a letter of apology and he has no recollection of what he said. He has no recollection of what he said and has ceased drinking and is in full time employment,” he added.
The defendant has eight previous convictions.
Judge Daly remarked that the offending behaviour was ‘at the upper end of the scale of seriousness for an offence like this’. He adjourned sentencing in the case to March 24 to allow for the completion of an alcohol awareness programme and to see if there was a cultural awareness programme available and to determine the defendant’s suitability for community service.