Man who abused staff member of Cork Eir store and called him 'a f***ing Paki' is jailed

Defendant was looking for a refund and started to verbally abuse staff member when told he would have to deal with customer service, court told

Defendant said he had returned to the store and apologised to staff. File picture: Fennell Photography

A member of staff at an Eir store was racially abused as a ‘f***ing Paki’ by a customer rowing about a refund, and now he has been jailed for one month for threatening behaviour.

Dylan Cleary, of no fixed address in Carlow, and originally from Tipperary, pleaded guilty at Cork District Court to engaging in the threatening behaviour at the Eir store on St Patrick’s Street, Cork, on October 6, 2025.

Judge Catherine Ryan said to the accused: “I heard what you said to the employee of the Eir store and it is appalling what you said.” 

The young man said: “I totally agree — there is no excuse.” 

Judge Ryan said: “Any comments of a racist nature will not be tolerated in his court.” 

Dylan Cleary said, “I am not a racist person at all, it was just a really bad day.” 

He added he had returned to the premises and apologised to staff.

Defence solicitor Eddie Burke said the 26-year-old had been clean of drugs for a number of years and was presently on methadone treatment. The young man said he had no drugs in his system and he wanted to get into a treatment centre.

Sergeant John Kelleher said the defendant had 42 previous convictions, including four for engaging in threatening behaviour.

“The defendant entered the store asking about a refund. When he was informed that he would have to deal with customer service, Dylan Cleary said to staff member: 'Fucking Paki, I want to talk to your manager, f***ing black cunt, I will put you through a wall.' 

“He was later charged and replied after caution: ‘I apologise for my behaviour’,” Sgt Kelleher said.