Man (20) dropped trousers, fondled himself and called Gardaí 'paedophiles', court hears

Conor Emmerson (20) also made derogatory remarks about deceased gardaí when he reacted "completely inappropriately" to being stopped for a search.

Judge Bryan Smyth said Emmerson's behaviour on the day was "more than stupid" and fined him €250 for a public order offence.

Emmerson, of Killala Road, Cabra West, pleaded guilty to threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour.

Dublin District Court heard the incident happened at 8pm on October 30, 2020.

Gardaí were on duty in the north of the city when they stopped two men who they saw coming out of Henrietta Lane riding a horse and carriage.

The garda said they wanted to carry out a search under the Misuse of Drugs Act and Emerson immediately became aggressive.

He pulled down his trousers and fondled himself in front of a female garda, a garda sergeant told the court.

He also called gardaí several names including "paedophiles" and made threatening remarks and derogatory comments about deceased members of the force, the court heard.

Emmerson attempted to walk away and was arrested and brought to a garda station, where he said he was sorry and that "it was stupid".

"It was more than stupid," the judge said.

The accused's solicitor Paddy McGarry said Emmerson had suffered traumatic experiences in the past and this was significant in relation to his attitude.

He acknowledged he reacted completely inappropriately on the day, Mr McGarry said.

A letter was submitted to the court from a doctor that Emmerson had attended.

The accused had 19 previous convictions for motoring and other offences.