Man 'lashed out' at gardaí and tried to stop them arresting friend at Cork music festival

The defendant had to be restrained by the officers by being placed on the ground. File photo

A Cork man who attempted to prevent his friend from being arrested at a music festival has pleaded guilty to obstruction and threatening and abusive behaviour in the district court.

Sergeant Trish O’Sullivan told Macroom District Court that gardaí were on duty at a music festival at Inchigeelagh, Co Cork, in the early hours of August 25, 2024. 

At 1.05 am they were called to a disturbance where two men had become involved in a fight.

One of the males who was highly intoxicated was being asked to leave the festival by security staff and became aggressive. 

Gardaí assisted in removing the man at which point his friend — identified as 20-year-old Con O’Sullivan of Johnstown, Kilmichael, Co Cork — arrived and became aggressive.

The court was told that Mr O’Sullivan was shouting at gardaí to “stop arresting his friend” and “lashed out” at the officers. Mr O’Sullivan eventually had to be restrained by being placed on the ground.

Defence solicitor, Patrick Goold, said Mr O’Sullivan had no previous convictions and was very apologetic to gardaí after the incident. He said his client was highly intoxicated at the time and had little memory of the incident. 

The court heard that Mr O’Sullivan was an articulated truck driver and does not have a difficulty with alcohol. Mr Goold said his client simply had far too much to drink on the night and when he saw his friend on the ground “decided to intervene”. 

Judge John King said he was willing to apply the Probation Act if Mr O’Sullivan would make a €600 contribution to the court poor box. 

He adjourned the matter to December 3 to allow Mr O’Sullivan time to gather the money but warned if it was not paid by then he would be convicted of obstruction and fined €600 and the threatening and abusive behaviour charge would be taken into consideration.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme