Warning: Swinging punches ‘can not be tolerated’ on Kilkenny streets

A man who was ‘swinging punches’ was told that kind of behaviour ‘can not be tolerated’ on a main city street in Kilkenny, at the local district court.

Adam Bily, 56 Springfields, Waterford Road, Kilkenny, was convicted of using threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour by Kilkenny District Court and fined €300.

Sergeant Morgan O’Connor told the court Mr Bily was observed outside a pub on RoseInn Street on September 7, 2024. He was ‘swinging punches with a closed fist’ but did not connect with anybody.

Mr Bily was acting in an aggressive manner, the sergeant said.

He was swaying on his feet and was arrested and taken to Kilkenny Garda Station.

Solicitor Ed Hughes said his client is ‘very young,’ 21. He said Mr Bily apologised to the gardaí for his behaviour.

The defendant has completed two years of college and now works as a painter but intends to go back to college in due course.

Mr Bily ‘doesn’t drink much,’ the solicitor said, maybe twice a year. This was a special occasion as it was his brother’s birthday.

“He shouldn’t drink at all,” Judge Geraldine Carthy observed.

Mr Hughes agreed and said his client ‘should have gone home’.

Judge Carthy said threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour could not be tolerated on a main street in the city, and convicted Mr Bily of the public order offence.