A Claregalway man found by Gardaí on a toilet in a drunken state failed to pay a fine of €120 and his visit to the loo ended up costing him €300 when his case – but not he – came before Galway District Court.
Gardaí were called to the Eyre Square Shopping Centre on October 21 last, on foot of reports of an highly intoxicated man in the toilets.
When they arrived they found Keith Hanley, Marbar, Slievefin, Claregalway, still sitting on the toilet in a very drunken state. He was arrested under the Public Order Act for his own safety and the safety of the public.
Before being released from Garda custody, he was issued with a fixed charge penalty of €120 but he failed to pay it and because of this his case came before Judge Edward Carroll at Galway District Court.
Hanley failed to show up for his hearing but prosecuting Garda Sgt Damien Prendergast said as it was a summary matter, it could be dealt with in his absence.
The Judge was told Hanley had five previous convictions, four for public order offences, the last of which came from Tuam District Court on March tenth last.
Judge Carroll imposed a fine of €300.
