Judge says he’s ‘fed up’ with defendant

Jailed for six months

A MONAGHAN man with numerous previous convictions to his name was given consecutive prison sentences coming to six months when he appeared in court on a fresh set of public order charges, despite having previously been given what the judge described a “a lot of chances to sort himself out”.

Shane O’Leary (32) of Glenview Drive, Killygowan, Monaghan Town, had pleaded guilty at Monaghan District Court to being abusive, drunk, and refusing to comply with garda directions in the early hours of November 2 last.

Judge Raymond Finnegan said at the outset that he had given the defendant many chances, but that he had “very clearly chosen not to take them”. He knew that Mr O’Leary had numerous convictions already for this type of offence.

Solicitor Shane Kennedy conceded that his client, unfortunately, had a difficulty with alcohol, prompting the judge to remark, “He could be going somewhere today where there will be no alcohol.”

Sergeant Damien Galligan said gardaí had received a report of an incident at O’Leary’s home at 6am on the Sunday in question. He had been asked by other family members to leave the house, and had walked onto the public road.

He was intoxicated and was directed by Garda Debbie McDaid to leave the area. He walked away but, when gardaí drove around again, the defendant was observed heading back to the area which he was told to leave.

O’Leary was arrested at that point, and became abusive towards the gardaí, calling them “scum” and “bullies” while being taken to Monaghan Garda Station.

The sergeant said O’Leary had 73 previous convictions, the vast majority being for breaches of the public order. A number of these were recorded at the court in February 2024, including counts of obstructing a garda, possessing a potential weapon, failing to obey directions, abusive behaviour, trespass, and intoxication.

Those convictions resulted in consecutive prison sentences amounting to 14 months in total but suspended for 24 months, Sgt Galligan confirmed.

Mr Kennedy said his client knew he was leaving the court with “little or no room to manoeuvre” in terms of sentencing. He was now the father of three children and had been working consistently over the last year.

When Judge Finnegan said the defendant couldn’t say the court hadn’t been very fair to him up to now, Mr O’Leary himself responded: “You have, your honour.”

The judge reiterated that lots of chances were given, but added that he was now “fed up looking at him”. He clearly wasn’t learning that he needed to get help for his drinking.

Consecutive prison sentences of four months and two months were given on that basis for failing to comply and for the abusive behaviour, while the public drunkenness was taken into account. In making his order, Judge Finnegan told O’Leary he was going to have to take responsibility for his own actions.