Suspended sentences activated after outburst

Called arresting garda a ‘foreign c**t’

A young Cavan man, with a lengthy criminal record and a history of substance abuse, has been sent to prison after two previously suspended sentences were trigger by another conviction.

Nathan Johnston (24), of Cluain Dara, Kingscourt, appeared before Judge Raymond Finnegan at Cavan District Court, where he admitted a series of public order offences committed on Hall Street, Kingscourt on May 16, 2026.

The court heard that gardaí on patrol encountered Johnston heavily intoxicated and behaving aggressively. He launched a foul-mouthed tirade at officers and members of the public, branding one woman a “stupid b**ch” and threatening to “spit in your face”.

He also called one of the arresting gardaí a “foreign c**t” before telling a member of the public that he would “rape your mother”.

Johnston, who has amassed 41 previous convictions, was subsequently charged with being intoxicated in a public place and using threatening and abusive behaviour.

He appeared before the court via video link already in custody, serving a five-month prison sentence imposed after he smeared faeces on a cell door and floor at Bailieborough Garda Station, on September 26, 2025.

The court also heard that Johnston was sentenced earlier this year for trespass and entering a building with intent to commit an offence.

Hanging over him were two suspended prison terms: a seven-month sentence for the theft of an iPhone from an apartment in Kingscourt between December 24 and 25, 2023; and a five-month sentence for possessing a knife at Cabra View, Kingscourt, on Christmas Day 2023.

Judge Finnegan was told that the majority of Johnston’s convictions relate to public order offences.

Defence solicitor Catherine Taaffe said her client’s life had been blighted by addiction. She told the court that Johnston had previously managed to get his substance abuse under control but had since relapsed. She also said he was finding his time in custody particularly difficult.

Describing Johnston as “a gent” when sober, Ms Taaffe insisted “he’s a different person” when not abusing drugs or alcohol.

However, Judge Finnegan said suspended sentences are intended as opportunities for offenders to change course and avoid further criminality.

The judge activated both suspended sentences in full. He ordered they be served consecutively to Johnston’s existing five-month prison term, and consecutively to each other, noting they had been committed while Johnston was on bail.

The public order matters from Hall Street in Kingscourt were taken into account.

“Hopefully he can use his time constructively,” Judge Finnegan remarked before fixing recognisances in the event of an appeal.

* This article was published with support from the Court Reporting Scheme