Offaly prosecution after man and woman found in car with seats reclined

A MAN became aggressive with gardai after they came upon him in a car with a woman in the early hours of the morning in Tullamore town centre, the local District Court heard.

Denilson Dos Anjos Ferreira (35), The Grove, Hophill, Tullamore was prosecuted for public order offences arising from an incident at Kilbride Plaza, Tullamore on January 11 last.

Garda Christopher Ward told the local District Court that at 3.28am he was on mobile patrol with Garda Leslie Coss when they saw vehicle with its lights on and left indicator flashing in a parking space.

Garda Ward said Garda Coss walked up to the driver's side and saw two people inside with the seats reclined fully and the car engine running. Garda Coss spoke to a female in the driver's seat and she began running the accelerator and turned the steering wheels towards gardai.

When a door of the vehicle was opened there was a strong smell of alcohol and Garda Coss attempted to speak to the female in the driver's seat who was heavily intoxicated.

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Garda Ward said the female began shouting and he removed the keys from the ignition. Garda Coss told the female she was being arrested on suspicion of being intoxicated in charge of the vehicle.

Garda Ward said at this point the defendant exited the passenger side of the vehicle and began shouting “No you won't” and “Don't touch her”.

He approached the gardai “in an aggressive manner” and shouted “Get out of here” with his arms raised.

When Garda Ward told him to get back Mr Dos Anjos Ferreira came towards him with an arm raised.

The garda said he used pepper spray and told the man he was being arrested under the Public Order Act.

He was still aggressive possibly due to pepper spray in his eyes, the court heard, and the two gardagot assistance and then walked Mr Dos Anjos Ferreira to Tullamore Garda Station.

Garda Ward said the accused had no previous convictions and apologised to him afterwards.

Defending solicitor Patrick Martin entered guilty pleas on behalf of the man to public drunkenness, resisting a garda and a breach of the peace and said his client restated the apology.

Mr Martin said Mr Dos Anjos Ferreira had been asleep in the car and completely reacted in the wrong way when the gardai approached.

A father of two, he had been in Ireland for eight years and was in full time employment in a meat factory. He brought €500 to court “as a token”.

Judge Susan Fay said the €500 could be donated to the court poor box and she gave the accused an opportunity to engage with the Athy Alternative Project.

She remanded Mr Dos Anjos Ferreira on continuing bail to appear in court again on June 17 next.