Offaly man charged with public order offences told to pay €1,000 to garda charity

A JUDGE indicated he may strike out public order charges if €1,000 is donated to the Little Blue Heroes garda charity.

Judge Andrew Cody was commenting after pleas of guilty were entered on behalf of Adam Austin (20), Newtown, Clareen, Birr to a breach of the peace and public drunkenness on December 26 last year.

Tullamore District Court was told Mr Austin had been arguing with pub security staff at Townsend Street in Birr. The man had a previous conviction for drink-driving.

Patrick Martin, defending solicitor said the 21-year-old apologised to the gardai and handed in a letter from an employer.

Mr Martin said his client, who worked as a machine operator and played a lot of hurling, hoped to travel abroad.

He had not drunk since the incident, which occurred at Christmas time and he had also brought money to court.

Judge Cody said that if Mr Austin wanted to have the prosecution struck out €1,000 would have to be donated to Little Blue Heroes. He adjourned the matter to September 24 next.

The Little Blue Heroes Foundation is run voluntarily by gardai and assists children with serious illnesses and their families.

READ NEXT: Offaly man caught drink-driving after uncle's funeral