Cobh man who threatened to assault gardaí fined €300 over 'shocking behaviour'

Man taunted gardaí to remove his handcuffs so that he could box them.

Fri, 17 Oct, 2025 - 17:17

Liam Heylin

A Cobh man being arrested at Cork's Kent Station taunted gardaí to remove his handcuffs so that he could box them around the place.

This scenario was described by Sergeant Aisling Murphy at Cork District Court in the case against Adam McGrath, aged 32, of 94 Russell Heights, Cobh, Co Cork.

The accused man pleaded guilty to charges of engaging in threatening behaviour and being so intoxicated that he was a danger to himself or others on the occasion.

Sergeant Murphy said: “On February 3, gardaí received a report of an aggressive male at Kent train station, Lower Glanmire, Rd, Cork. On arrival at the scene, they observed a male being restrained in the car park of Kent train station by members of security.

“He was also very aggressive towards gardaí. The male threatened to assault gardaí, saying: 'Take these cuffs off me and I will box you around'.

“He also called gardaí pigs and useless tramps on a number of occasions. He replied "fuck off" when asked to provide his personal details.

“There was a strong smell of intoxicating liquor from his breath, his speech was slurred, and he was unable to stand unaided. Gardaí formed the opinion that he was intoxicated to such an extent that he was a danger to himself and others in his vicinity.

“He was conveyed to Mayfield Garda Station where he was later charged.”

Aoife Buttimer solicitor said the defendant had come to no negative attention since the incident. She said that mixing drink with his medication had a negative effect.

“He has no memory of this awful incident. He is very sorry, very embarrassed when the precis of the evidence was read to him.”

Judge fined McGrath €300 for being threatening and abusive and took the drunkenness into consideration.

“This was shocking behaviour,” Judge Dorgan said.