Prison for Drunk Cork man over 'I'll knock you out' threat to garda

Judge Catherine Ryan said: 'He is not in a good place. He might be better off to have some period in prison'

The man has been sentenced to two months in prison. File picture: Dan Linehan

“I will knock you out” — That was the threat to a member of An Garda Síochána in Cork City by a drunken man with convictions for similar crimes and now he has been sentenced to two months in prison.

Judge Catherine Ryan commented on the appearance of the defendant, Dylan Duggan, in the dock at Cork District Court and said: “He is not in a good place. He might be better off to have some period in prison.” 

Sergeant John Kelleher said the accused man was convicted 11 times for engaging in threatening words or behaviour and seven of being so intoxicated that he was a danger to himself or others.

Now at Cork District Court the 32-year-old man of Cork Simon Community and originally from the Mahon area pleaded guilty to two more charges of threatening behaviour and three counts of being drunk and a danger.

Stephen Cotter, solicitor, said the defendant was in a poor state at the time of the public order offences and had difficulties with homelessness and alcohol.

Sergeant Kelleher said that on Thursday, April 2, Garda Ricky Parker was on beat patrol and was alerted to an intoxicated male on the street in the alleyway off Brian Boru Street. Garda Parker arrived to find Dylan Duggan lying on the ground.

“He was awoken and was highly intoxicated. His speech was slurred and his eyes were dilated, he was unsteady on his feet and the garda formed the opinion he was intoxicated to such an extent that he was a danger to himself and others.

“He then jumped up aggressively and shouted abuse at Garda Parker, saying, 'You're a prick, f*** you and you're a f***ing prick, I will knock you out’,” Sgt. Kelleher said.

Garda Parker arrested Dylan Duggan and took him to Mayfield Garda Station.

In another incident around this time, gardaí on beat patrol on Oliver Plunkett Street saw Duggan kicking over a sign outside Clancy’s pub. Dylan Duggan of Cork Simon Community pleaded guilty to the public order charges arising out of both incidents.