Drunk Kerry man fell asleep in van on petrol station forecourt

Court was told there was a strong smell of alcohol and when accused awoke, his speech was slurred and he had to be assisted in getting out of the van

When gardaí arrived, a van was parked partly blocking one of the entrances to the petrol station forecourt. File picture Colin Keegan/ Collins 

A Kerry man who had too much to drink and fell asleep in his van on a petrol station forecourt was arrested for his own safety, the district court has heard.

Sergeant Eimear O’Connell told Macroom District Court gardaí were called to the Circle K petrol station at Coolcower, Macroom, Co Cork, at 9.15pm on September 30, 2024.

When gardaí arrived, a van was parked partly blocking one of the entrances to the petrol station forecourt. Inside the van was a sleeping man identified as David O’Connell, aged 44, with an address at Gurrane, Oakpark, Tralee, Co Kerry.

The court was told there was a strong smell of alcohol and when O’Connell awoke, his speech was slurred and he had to be assisted in getting out of the van. Once out of the van, O’Connell was very unsteady on his feet, the court heard.

Gardaí formed the opinion O’Connell was a danger to himself and to others and he was arrested and later charged with being intoxicated in public. The court heard O’Connell had 29 previous convictions and did not pay the penalty notice that was issued.

Judge Joanne Carroll applied the Probation Act.

This article is funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme