Drunk man told Blarney gardaí 'I’ll drink wherever and whenever I f***ing want', court hears

The court was told that the accused was on medication and that if he mixes this with alcohol he loses control

The incident started with the defendant making threats at the Muskerry Arms in Blarney. File picture: Dan Linehan

A Wexford man who turned up in Blarney in a highly intoxicated condition got volatile with gardaí, threw a fistful of coins on the ground, and told them, “I’ll drink wherever and whenever I fucking want”.

Now he has been jailed for two months for his behaviour on the night in an incident that kicked off with him making threats at the Muskerry Arms.

Brandon O’Brien, aged 27, of no fixed address, originally from Wexford, pleaded guilty to the public order charges against him.

Diarmuid Kelleher, solicitor, said: “When I read out the precis of the evidence to him he was very, very apologetic and said that was drink talking on the night. He has a history of mental health difficulties.” 

Mr Kelleher said the accused was on medication and that if he mixes this with alcohol he loses control — on the occasion in Blarney he had been on this medication and drinking whiskey.

Judge Mary Dorgan acknowledged that but said that the public order offending on the night was at a high level. The defendant spoke up to extend his apologies to the guards, to the court and to the people to whom he was threatening on the night.

Sergeant Pat Lyons outlined the background to the incident which occurred at Shean Lower, Blarney, on July 23, 2023.

“Gardaí were called to the Muskerry Arms Hotel by the manager who stated that a man had caused a disturbance when refused entry for having too much drink consumed.

“The man was described as being about six foot two inches with an athletic build. The man had a large pyramid ring on his hand and threatened to use it to assault staff.

“Shortly afterwards, gardaí were flagged down by pedestrians outside saying a man was threatening and highly intoxicated.

“The gardaí encountered him at the Number 21 off-licence in Blarney. He gave gardaí an incorrect name and said he had no address.

“He became argumentative when asked to leave. He threw a handful of change on the floor. He told gardaí, ‘I’ll drink wherever and whenever I fucking want’.

“He became volatile and tried to break free from gardaí when arrested. When placed in handcuffs he continued to kick out at gardaí and shouted obscenities. He was spitting and had to be held down.” 

Judge Dorgan imposed a total jail term of two months on the accused for offences that included engaging in threatening behaviour.