French waiter arrested for trying to pelt Sarkozy with eggs

A French waiter appeared in court today after he was arrested for trying to pelt France’s President Nicolas Sarkozy with eggs on his arrival at Government Buildings.

Michael Audran (aged 35), with an address at Drumderg, Drumshambo, Co Leitrim, who has been residing in Ireland for about three years, was brought before Dublin District Court yesterday evening.

Garda Sergeant Paul Tallon of Harcourt Terrace station said Audran made no reply when he was charged with engaging in threatening, insulting and abusive behaviour contrary to section six of the Public Order Act, at Merrion Street, in Dublin, yesterday afternoon.

Dressed in a green and white sweater and blue jeans, Audran declined the offer of legal representation and indicated that he was pleading guilty to the charge.

Gda-Sgt Tallon told Judge Denis McLoughlin that at 1.20pm yesterday “a security cordon was set up at Government Buildings as the French president arrived.”

“He attempted to break through and throw eggs. He managed to throw one which missed the car.”

Judge McLoughlin was told that Audran had no previous convictions and earned €230 a week

Audran nodded when asked if he wanted to make a contribution to charity.

In light of Audran’s previous good character Judge McLoughlin said he was directing him to pay €150 to the Fr. Peter McVerry Trust.

“If paid, on the basis of your previous good character, that charge will be struck out,” the judge said.

He remanded Audran on €100 bail until September 1 next and warned him that failure to donate the money by then would result in a conviction as well as a €300 fine with three months to pay and five days’ jail in default.

Judge McLoughlin also consented to an application from Gda-Sgt Tallon to impose a bail condition on Audran banning him from “any building in which the French President is located” for the duration of his visit to Ireland.

Minutes later Gda-Sgt Tallon and a colleague chatted with Audran as they walked him away from the courthouse.

Outside the court’s gate Audran pulled out two flags, France’s red, white and blue tricolour and the white and black traditional banner of the French province Brittany, and displayed them for press cameras while making an abusive comment about Sarkozy.

Press photographers said Audran shouted “Fuck you Sarkozy” as he displayed his flags.