Man fined over clash with gardaí
Keith Walsh, aged 32, of 97 Ardcullen, Hollyhill, Cork, said: “I apologise to the guards, I was just upset. I was stopped the week before when I had horses as well. I was upset, I was tired, I wanted to get the animals back to grazing. I did lose my temper, I am sorry to the court.”
Walsh pleaded guilty at Cork District Court to charges of obstructing a garda and engaging in threatening behaviour at Albert Quay, Cork, on Aug 20.
Garda Ann Roche said the incident happened after 6pm that day in rush-hour traffic: “I formed the opinion it was necessary to breathtest him [he was not prosecuted for drink driving]. Following a conversation with him, I informed him he was under arrest.
“He said, ‘You are not arresting me’. He resisted attempts to put handcuffs on him. This resulted in him being pepper-sprayed and the use of a garda baton to restrain him and arrest [him].
“It was at a busy time — rush-hour traffic — and he was telling us to fuck off. He was calling for assistance from friends [in the 4x4].”
Judge Eugene O’Kelly said: “He has a very poor record and a worse attitude to gardaí.”
Solicitor Eddie Burke said: “He was pulling a horse box coming back from Skibbereen. He had gone to the Viaduct Bar for something to eat. Other people in the car had taken drink. He was followed from the Viaduct by gardaí and arrested after five or six miles of driving. He takes care of horses to keep himself occupied.”
Walsh has 45 previous convictions. Judge O’Kelly fined him €250 for threatening behaviour and €200 for obstructing gardaí.
