Celebrations turn nasty for louts

A LIMERICK criminal was jailed yesterday for drunken behaviour while allegedly out celebrating a decision handed down by another court earlier this week.

Liam Keane reportedly went on a drinking spree on Wednesday and Thursday after the Court of Criminal appeal confirmed murder convictions on five Limerick men who killed his uncle, crime boss Kieran Keane.

The 23-year-old, the court heard, shouted abuse at gardaí as he staggered around the city centre on Thursday morning gulping from a bottle of wine.

Judge Tom O’Donnell had refused to hear the case on Thursday when Keane arrived in court, showing the signs of having drink consumed.

After a night in the cells, he was brought back yesterday and admitted three offences of drunk and disorderly behaviour.

Inspector Seamus Gallagher told the court that Garda David Hennessy and Garda John Monaghan were called to Sticks fast food outlet in Nicholas on Thursday after Keane argued with the manager.

As he walked down the street drinking a bottle of white wine, he reportedly shouted more abuse at the gardaí, swearing regularly.

Keane, the court heard, was out celebrating a judgement the previous day by the Court of Criminal appeal which confirmed convictions of five men who murdered his uncle, Kieran Keane in January 2003.

His solicitor John Devane said Keane had a few drinks with his family the previous night and went into town to buy clothes.

What happened was a spontaneous incident, said the solicitor, and his client had advised him that it was not the case of him being triumphalist.

Judge O’Donnell said Keane had a serious attitude problem from the level of abuse he meted out to the gardaí. The judge, noting Keane had 45 previous convictions, said it was Keane’s third conviction for drunk and disorderly behaviour within a short space of time.

Imposing a three month’s jail sentence, Judge O’Donnell said: “He adopts an outrageous attitude after a few drinks.”

Nicholas Lyons, aged 25, from St Ita’s Street, St Mary’s Park, who had been with Keane and admitted the same offences, was also jailed for three months. Judge O’Donnell also activated a six-month suspended sentence handed down to Lyons recently for a motoring offence.

Insp Gallagher said Lyons, who had 29 previous convictions, abused the gardaí and threatened them.