Student avoids conviction after mocking garda

A student on a night out mocked a garda for telling him to put his pint glass in a bin, asking: “What are ye, glass collectors now?”

Conor McCarthy, aged 27, of Annakisha South, Doneraile, Co Cork, denied charges of being drunk and a danger, engaging in disorderly conduct, obstructing Garda Tony Gallwey, and failing to leave the scene at Fenn’s Quay when directed on November 6, 2014.

Mr McCarthy claimed he had been bowling with friends in The Mardyke Bar. He denied being drunk, obstructive or in any way aggressive. He said he did make the comment about gardaí being glass collectors but had not meant any offence.

Garda Gallwey said his impression was that Mr McCarthy was playing to the gallery and that it was bravado in front of his friends. He said Mr McCarthy resisted when he was about to put handcuffs on him and only became compliant when told pepper-spray could be used.

Mr McCarthy accepted he had said on the night: “I am in trouble here. The glass collectors are here. I did not mean to offend if I did offend Garda Gallwey.”

He refused to give the officer a name and address, claiming the garda would not tell him what he did wrong.

Judge Olann Kelleher said he found the facts proved. However, he did not want to leave Mr McCarthy with four convictions arising out of the night.

He adjourned the case until December 16 for the defendant to raise €300 for the Simon Community, and to write a fulsome letter of apology to the garda, providing a copy in court.