Inebriated digger driver in the Midlands who fell asleep in taxi arrested for his own safety

A digger driver who fell asleep in a taxi became aggressive when gardaí attempted to put him in a cell at the garda station. 

Cathal Courtney(29) with an address at Gowar Field, South Mimms, Potter Bar, Hertfordshire, England pleaded guilty to engaging in threatening or abusive manner and being intoxicated at Dublin Road, Portlaoise and obstruction at Abbeyleix Garda Station on May 24 last. 

Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said gardai were asked to attend at Applegreen filling station the Dublin Road as there was an intoxicated man asleep in a taxi at 12.20am.  He said the man was highly intoxicated and had to be arrested for his own safety. 

Sgt Kirby said the man became aggressive while being transported to Abbeyleix Garda Station and had to be handcuffed. At the station he refused to go into the cell, he said. The man had eight previous convictions, including some from outside the jurisdiction, Sgt Kirby added. 

Solicitor Barry Fitzgerald said his client was a digger driver from Newbridge who has some difficulty with alcohol. 

“Unfortunately, he fell off the wagon on this particular day,” said Mr Fitzgerald. He said the man had been “completely inebriated” and “upon sobering up he appears to be a completely different individual”. 

Judge Susan Fay referred the defendant to the Alternative Project and adjourned the case back to Portlaoise District Court on November 3 for finalisation.