Threatening and shouting Offaly man was pepper sprayed by Gardai

A CLARA man who was threatening and shouting had to be pepper sprayed by the Gardaí, last week's Tullamore Court was told.

Before the Court was Paul Fitzpatrick, 20 Garran An Caisleain, Kilcoursey, Clara.

He was charged with threatening to smash all the windows of the house at 13, Cluain Fia, Clara on March 16 last.

He was also charged with intoxication in public and holding a “sharply pointed article”, and trespassing on the curtilage of a house in Cluain Fia, Clara on March 17 last.

Sgt Brendan Kearns said the incidents on both days happened outside the same house.

“When the Gardaí were called to the scene on March 17,” he remarked, “when they arrived they saw that the defendant was shouting and roaring and was holding a stick with a sharp point. He shouted at the Gardaí, 'Don't come near me!'

He had to be pepper sprayed. The previous day he was banging on the windows of the same house, for which he was arrested and taken to Tullamore Garda Station.”

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Sgt Kearns said he had 16 previous convictions including criminal damage.

The defending solicitor Patrick Martin pointed out that when his client wasn't allowed into the house to see his child during his child's birthday “he became very upset. My client is 45 years of age.

He has four children. He is not working. He apologises to the court for his behaviour.”

“These are serious matters,” remarked Judge Andrew Cody, “even though a Victim Impact Report hasn't been forthcoming.”

He convicted and sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, suspending for two years.