‘F**k off and do your job’

A MONAGHAN town man, who told a garda to “f**k off and do your job”, after being found lying on the ground, was given a two-month prison sentence when the matter was recalled at a recent sitting of Monaghan District Court.

Patrick Connolly (37) of Riverside, Coolshannagh, Monaghan, pleaded guilty to a charge of engaging in abusive behaviour at Roosky, Monaghan Town on the night of August 14 last.

Sergeant Lisa McEntee said gardaí had received multiple reports about an intoxicated man acting aggressively towards members of the public. Upon arriving at the scene at 10:22pm, Garda Thomas O’Connor saw the defendant lying face down on an area of grass.

When the garda approached him, Mr Connolly told him to “f**k off and do your job”. Connolly was arrested and taken to Monaghan Garda Station.

It was noted by Sergeant McEntee that the defendant had 38 previous convictions. The most recent was in relation to an assault, for which he had been given 240 hours’ community service in November 2024.

Earlier convictions for drink driving (which had attracted a suspended five-month prison term), dangerous driving, threatening a breach of the peace and possession of drugs were also alluded to.

Sara Brennan BL, defending, said her client knew he had a very bad history with alcoholism. He had previously carried out a residential programme at Cuan Mhuire, but the incident before the court came about as a result of a relapse when he found himself out of work.

Since then, he recommenced meetings with Alcoholics Anonymous in Ballybay, Ms Brennan said. She accepted that she had no direct evidence to prove this, but handed up a reference to show he was back at work.

Connolly himself, responding directly to a query from Judge Michael Connellan on the matter, confirmed that he finished his course in Cuan Mhuire a year ago. At the time of the offence in August he was out of work, but he said he had found a job in the meantime and was regularly attending AA meetings.

Judge Connellan noted that the defendant had previously benefitted from community service in lieu of prison, and also from having had a prison sentence suspended.

Regarding the incident with Garda O’Connor, Ms Brennan said her client had no recollection of what happened on the night but went to the garda on the following day to apologise.

Judge Connellan, however, said he was imposing a two-month prison term. Recognisances for appeal were set at €100 cash.