This article is from page 12 of the 2014-10-21 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 12 JPG
A WEST Clare teenager has pleaded guilty to assaulting a garda sergeant in Kilrush earlier this month.
Michael Linnane (19) was in a highly intoxicated state when he punched Sgt John Moloney, Ennis District Court heard.
Sgt Moloney was giving chase to Mr Linnane who f ed after gardaí were called to an incident at Hector Street, Kilrush on October 7.
Insp Tom Kennedy told the court gardaí received a call from the accused’s mother at around 11.20pm.
The court heard Mr Linnane was trying to force his way into his mother’s house. When gardaí arrived, Mr Linnane left the premises attempted to f ee the scene. Insp Kennedy said the accused threw an item at Sgt Moloney and threw punches at him. Insp Kennedy said Mr Linnane was eventually restrained and arrested. The court heard Mr Linnane was in an intoxicated state at the time. On Wednesday, Mr Linnane, with an address at Hector Street, Kilrush, pleaded guilty to the assault of Sgt Moloney at O’Gorman Street, and an offence of engaging in behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace. Mr Linnane, who was on bail when the offences were committed, has previous convictions for criminal damage, assault and a f rearms offence. Defence solicitor Gearoid Williams told the court he had been instructed to apologise to Sgt Molo- ney on his client’s behalf.
The court heard Mr Linnane attended a residential treatment course in the week’s prior to the incidents in the Kilrush. Mr Williams said his client relapsed into the “bad old ways and the drink”.
“He had been drinking all day and doesn’t remember what happened”, Mr Williams said, “Sober, he’s f ne. Drink does not agree with him. He does terrible things when he has too much to drink”, he added. Mr Williams said his client has lived a “most disturbed life” and developed addiction problems at an early age. Judge Patrick Durcan said, “What you outline Mr Williams is truly horrif c”. However Judge Durcan said the other side of the coin is that Mr Linnane resisted arrest, attacked and abused a member of the gardaí.
He said such treatment of the police force could not be let pass without ju dicial action. Judge Durcan told Mr Linnane he struck him as a f ne, in telligent, young man. “But I will not have any member of the garda suíochana insulted, abused or demeaned in this manner”, he added.
He imposed a four-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months on condition Mr Linnane enters into a bond to be of good behaviour and obeys the directions of the probation services.
Mr Linnane was also ordered to complete 120 hours of community service.