A RAHOON man arrested on public order charges during Race Week was told by Judge John Brennan at Galway District Court that it was time he dealt with his alcohol issues and that Race Week was no excuse for public drunkenness.
Before the Court was Jason Gill, 61, Claremont Park, Rahoon, charged with two public order offences. A charge of threatening and abusive behaviour in public was withdrawn and he pleaded guilty to being drunk in public.
Judge Brennan was told that on July 31 during the Galway Races, Gill caused difficulties for security staff in a city hotel. Security staff had to call the Gardaí and he was arrested. Gill had 14 previous convictions, including nine for public drunkenness, one for threatening and abusive behaviour, two for drugs offences and one for breaching Covid regulations. The Judge asked how many of these dated to within the past five years and the defence admitted most of them were.
Olivia Traynor solr (defending ) said her client’s offences were mainly related to alcohol. She asked the Judge to note the date of this latest offence, at the height of the Galway Races, and pleaded that Gill had stopped drinking and was dealing with his issues.
Imposing a fine of €300 Judge Brennan said it was time he did, adding that Race Week was no excuse for such behaviour.
