Judge tells defendant (39) he does not pay his 'taxes for you to get very drunk'

Russell Forde, (39) of Yeats Drive, Cranmore pleaded guilty to a charge of using threatening and abusive behaviour at Wine Street Car Park on November 19, 2020.

A related charge of being drunk and a danger to himself and others was struck out.

He also pleaded guilty to a charge of being drunk and a danger to himself and others a Rockwood Parade on March 7 last.

Sergeant Derek Butler said gardai got a report of a man who was drunk in Wine Street Car Park on November 19 2020.

The defendant was standing near Penney’s store and was struggling to stay upright and was shouting at by-passer and was abusive and aggressive and was arrested and brought to Ballymote Garda Station.

In a different matter on last March 7, the defendant was found passed out outside Boyle Sports at Rockwood Parade, was not able to stand up and was arrested for his own safety.

The court heard the defendant had seven previous convictions-mostly for public order for offences, the court heard.

Defence Solicitor John Anderson said the 39-year-old had a drink problem but was trying “to cut down on it”.

Judge Alan Mitchell said that a guaranteed way of cutting down was by sending the defendant to Castlerea Prison.

The judge said the defendant “was running out of road” and if he came back with similar convictions, he would end up getting two to three months in jail

The judge added: “I don’t pay my taxes for you to get very drunk”.

“If you don’t do something, you will end up in jail."

Judge Mitchell fined the defendant €200 on the charge of using threatening and abusive behaviour for the offence on November 19, 2020, in Wine Street Car Park.

He fined the defendant €100 on the charge of being drunk and a danger to himself and others at Rockwood Parade on March 7 last.

“Get help if you have to,” said the judge.