This article is from page 12 of the 2009-11-17 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 12 JPG
A 13-MONTH jail term has been imposed on a Kilrush man who as- saulted two gardai in separate inci- OLAS
Martin Burke (27), of St Senan’s Terrace, Kilrush, admitted assault- ing Sergeant Lavin; assaulting Garda Greg Gander; and criminal damage, arising out of various inci- eae
Garda Conor Flaherty told Kilrush District Court that the accused was arrested for public order offences on O’Curry Street, Kilkee, on Novem-
ber 30, 2008.
He was taken to the garda station. Handcuffs were removed from him at the public office.
He said that Burke refused to stand up to be searched. He was then re- strained and handcuffed and brought to a cell.
Gda Flaherty said that Burke was very abusive to gardai.
He became very violent and punched Sgt Lavin on the left shoul- Cloe
Defending solicitor | Eugene O’Kelly said his client was “so drunk he was unable to sign his own
name”.
‘He didn’t know what he was do- ing.
“No intention to assault Sgt Lavin had formed in his mind. He was completely out of it.”, Mr O’kelly explained
Garda Greg Gander told the court that the accused was highly abusive at Market Square, Kilrush, on June BEEN e
He was taken to the garda station, where he punched the garda to the stone
Garda Keith Hughes told the court that Burke broke windows on Crot-
ty’s pub and Central Sports in Kil- rush on March 27 last.
The total cost of the damage amounted to €2,250.
Mr O’Kelly, referring to that inci- dent, said his client told gardai, “My head isn’t right. I need to get help.”
Mr O’Kelly said that Burke’s grandmother had just died and he was very troubled as a result.
“He had no reason in the world for breaking these windows. It was some cry for help.
“Mr Burke needs help. He’s unfor- tunately far too regular a visitor to this court,’ he said.
Mr O’Kelly said his client would be willing to move out of Kilrush.
“He 1S sincere when he 1s sober, but unfortunately when he is drunk, matters get the better of him,’ he STH em
The court heard that Burke has 56 previous convictions.
One of those was for arson, for which a three-year sentence was imposed at Ennis Circuit Court in 2006.
Judge Joseph Mangan imposed sentences totalling 13 months and fixed a bond in the event of an ap- peal.