THE threat of having a two-year suspended prison sentence activated, hangs over a 21-year–old man who threw himself in front of a garda car.
Ger Martin, aged 23, with an address at Ballyclough Avenue, Ballinacurra Weston, prevented the free passage of the patrol car outside the Mid Western Regional hospital on September 23 last.
Martin was in court pleading guilty to the charge, as well as a number of public order matters.
On September 22, the court heard that he was amongst a large group of males involved in a disturbance on the Hyde Road.
Martin was also highly intoxicated and arrested and brought to Roxboro Garda Station.
However, during booking and the completion of his arrest, he became ill and was taken to the Regional Hospital.
Shortly after 1am, Martin became involved in an altercation at the hospital and ran out on to the St Nessan’s Road. It was there that he threw himself on the ground and blocked the garda car.
Judge Eamon O’Brien heard that Martin was still in a highly intoxicated state, and that he had 58 previous convictions.
As the matter of the suspended sentence was hanging over him from the circuit court for a period of two years, Judge O’Brien referred it back where the presiding judge will consider activating the sentence.
Judge Eamon O’Brien will then be able to consider the position of the guilty plea for the public order matters pending its outcome.
The case was adjourned until December 1.
