Drunken man's 'rampage' in Cork City was 'off Richter scale', court told

Cork District Court heard that the accused 'suffers from schizophrenia'

While on patrol on Washington Street, gardaí were flagged down by members of the public. File picture: Denis Minihane

A drunken man’s behaviour in Cork city centre went “off the Richter scale” as he smashed the glass refrigeration units in two fast-food outlets and spat at staff and gardaí.

Judge David Waters imposed a four-month prison sentence on the 39-year-old at Cork District Court and said: “People are entitled to go about their business without having their property damaged and being spat at.”

Solicitor Joseph Cuddigan said on behalf of the accused: “What went on on Washington Street was quite off the Richter scale.

"He was shocked when I went through the evidence of the damage he caused and the degrading treatment of people that he had — spitting at them when he went on this rampage on August 16.” 

Judge Waters also described the behaviour of Daniel Ciemiega of Winsley, Glasheen Road, Cork, as a rampage.

Sergeant Gearóid Davis described what happened: “While on patrol on Washington Street, gardai were flagged down by members of the public who informed them that Daniel Ciemiega had caused damage and smashed a glass display cabinet worth €1000 in Bites & Clouds, Washington Street, and broke an iPhone belonging to a member of staff.

“Daniel Ciemiega left the store and then walked over to fast-food restaurant Lavish on Washington Street and caused damage by smashing a glass refrigerated counter worth €1200 and food items worth €100 were damaged and spoiled.

“Daniel Ciemiega aggressively threw food and spat at staff. “Garda Nicole Cahill approached Daniel Ciemiega on Washington Street where he proceeded to spit at Garda Cahill. 

"Daniel Ciemiega was aggressively shouting abusive comments at gardaí with slurred speech and a strong smell of intoxicating liquor and there were members of the public present. 

“Daniel Ciemiega was restrained and arrested under the Public Order Act. He had to be handcuffed as he was conveyed to the Bridewell Garda Station.” 

He had 133 previous convictions. Mr Cuddigan said the accused was from Poland and came to Cork as a child. Despite very challenging circumstances he excelled in education and studied a pharma course.

“He suffers from schizophrenia and appreciated that it is a lifelong situation and he has to continue with medication. He is very remorseful for those poor people running their businesses on Washington Street and to the garda who was spat at. 

"He is very disappointed with himself. It was quite degrading for the people involved. He had taken substances on the day,” the solicitor said.