Man who told elderly woman 'F*** you c***' on Cork street will not 'get hold of demon drink' in jail

Defendant told verbal abuse of elderly woman shopping with aid of walking frame 'absolutely outrageous'

Defendant also admitted another offence of falling down drunk on Oliver Plunkett Street. File picture

An elderly woman shopping in Cork city centre with the aid of a walking frame was verbally abused by a big drunken man, who said: “F*** you, c***”, as he passed her on the street.

52-year-old Richard O’Brien, who is from Tralee but of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to being threatening and abusive and other charges contrary to the public order act.

Judge Catherine Ryan said: “What you said to the old lady who was probably out doing her shopping, abusing her on the street, it is absolutely outrageous. A big strong man making horrible comments to people like that.

“You are obviously a man who cannot drink and should not let another drop pass your lips.” 

Richard O’Brien pleaded guilty to this incident of being threatening at 4pm on January 3 on Oliver Plunkett Street. He also admitted being so intoxicated that he was a danger to himself or others on that date. 

He also admitted a similar drunken offence the previous afternoon. On January 2, he had fallen down drunk at the same location, Oliver Plunkett Street.

Sergeant John Dineen said he staggered into the elderly lady and then shouted abuse at her.

Judge Ryan imposed a total sentence of six weeks imprisonment on the accused.

Frank Buttimer, solicitor, said the accused absolutely accepted the extraordinary level of previous convictions. 

He has 579 previous convictions, 63 for threatening behaviour, 362  for being drunk and a danger.

Judge Ryan said to the accused: “It probably does you good to be in prison — at least you are not getting hold of the demon drink.”