Drunk Cork man who called gardaí 'fat pigs' during disturbance is jailed

In a second incident, relatives who were concerned about defendant's highly intoxicated state brought him to Gurranabraher Garda Station, where he was arrested for his own safety

A Cork man who called gardaí “fat pigs” during a disturbance in Carrigaline has been jailed for six weeks.

John Burke, 28, with an address at 47 Laurel Ridge, Shanakiel, Cork, was jailed by Judge Mary Dorgan.

Sergeant Aisling Murphy said gardaí went to Cúl na Cille, Church Hill, Carrigaline, Co Cork, where there was a report of a highly intoxicated young man.

“He was highly abusive towards gardaí, calling them 'fat pigs',” Sgt. Murphy said.

In a second more recent incident on February 27, relatives who were concerned about his highly intoxicated state brought him to Gurranabraher Garda Station. In effect, he was arrested for his own safety on the occasion.

John Burke pleaded guilty to two counts of being drunk and a danger and one count of engaging in threatening behaviour, arising out of these two incidents.

Sgt Murphy said the accused had 80 previous convictions, including 13 previous counts of being drunk and a danger, and six of threatening behaviour.

Shane Collins-Daly, solicitor, appeared in Cork District Court for the accused, who appeared by video link from prison. He apologised on the defendant’s behalf for the language used to the gardaí.

“He has had a lot of difficulties in his life, with a traumatic childhood. He is capable of leading a healthy lifestyle — he is a very young man and very keen to get out of custody,” Mr Collins-Daly said.

Regarding the defendant looking forward to getting out of custody and leading a life without crime, Judge Dorgan said to him: “I really hope you do.”