Told garda to “f**k off” during fireworks incident

A young man, who refused to obey a garda’s instructions during a Halloween night incident in which a group of people were throwing fireworks at gardaí, was given a five-month suspended sentence when the matter was recalled at Monaghan District Court

Vincentas Miksta (23) with an address at Wylie’s Hill, Ballybay, Co Monaghan, admitted that he refused to comply with Garda directions and that he engaged in threatening and abusive behaviour at Ard Gleann, Killygoan, Monaghan Town, on October 31, 2024.

Sergeant Lisa McEntee said Garda Thomas O’Connor had been dealing with a large public order incident where a lot of fireworks were being thrown in the direction of gardaí. He observed Vincentas Miksta among the group and gave him a direction to leave the area.

But Miksta told the garda to “f**k off and annoy someone else”. He was once more told to leave, but again failed to comply with the direction.

That sergeant noted that Miksta had a previous conviction for threatening a breach of the peace and possessing knives in September 2022, in relation to which he received a prison sentence suspended for 12 months. He also had convictions for trespass, drink driving, dangerous driving and no insurance. These had resulted in fines and a two-year driving ban.

Pointing out that her client hadn’t come to Garda attention for two years, Sara Brennan BL said the suspended sentence seemed to have been effective. Regarding the incident before the court, she said there had been a group of about 10 younger males in the area.

Miksta didn’t have any fireworks himself and felt that it was because he was known to gardaí that he was “singled out” and told to move on. He accepted his attitude was very poor on the night. He was in a relationship, working part-time and studying a course at Monaghan Institute.

Judge Raymond Finnegan imposed a five-month prison term but suspended it for 24 months for the refusal to comply. He warned that, if the accused came before him again, there would be no more suspensions of sentences. A €300 fine was issued for the charge of abusive behaviour.