Ireland Conviction for abusive behaviour at Dundalk Garda Station dismissed under Probation Act
On 13 March 2020 at lunchtime, Michael O'Hagan, a 55-year-old man, was involved in an incident at Dundalk Garda Station, where a garda said he called him a murderer, a moron and a criminal. He was arrested under the Public Order Act and convicted by Dundalk District Court of threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour, with a €105 fine. On appeal at Dundalk Circuit Court, the judge found the facts proven but dismissed the charge under the Probation Act, removing the conviction and fine, as reported on 4 August 2023.
- Reported
- Arrested
- Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Michael O'Hagan, a 55-year-old man, was shouting that Dundalk district court was run by criminals and criminality.
- He claimed that An Garda Siochána had stolen his money.
- A garda said he called him a murderer, a moron and a criminal.
- Where
- The incident took place at Dundalk Garda Station; the key facts place the insults on the steps outside the station, while the article says he entered the public office.
- When
- The incident happened on 13 March 2020 at lunchtime.
- Investigation
- He was arrested under the Public Order Act.
- Charges
- He was convicted by Dundalk District Court of threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour, a public order offence.
- Sentence
- The district court imposed a €105 fine.
- The judge dismissed the charge under the Probation Act, removing the conviction and fine.
- In court
- He appealed to Dundalk Circuit Court against the district court conviction and fine.
- The judge found the facts proven at the appeal hearing, reported on 4 August 2023.
- Other details
- The judge told him the appeal was not an opportunity to try a different type of case, and he was repeatedly reminded that only the appeal was being heard.
10 statements extracted from the articles
- whatHe was screaming that Dundalk district court was run by criminals and criminality. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whatHe claimed that An Garda Siochána had stolen his money. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whatA garda said he called him a murderer, a moron and a criminal on the steps outside the station. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whereThe incident took place at Dundalk Garda Station. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whenThe incident happened on 13 March 2020 at lunchtime. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- investigationHe was arrested under the public order act. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- courtThe appeal at Dundalk Circuit Court was against a district court conviction and fine for threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- courtThe judge found the facts proven. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- sentenceThe judge dismissed the charge under the Probation Act. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- sentenceThe €105 fine and conviction were removed. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 4 Aug2023Dundalk court: Conviction for abusive behaviour dismissed under Probation Act
Reports the Dundalk Circuit Court appeal hearing, not the original incident. The judge found the facts proven and dismissed the charge under the Probation Act, removing the conviction and fine. Two other appeals were adjourned to November, and three other convictions were taken into account; these concern other matters and are not recorded here.
convicted, Michael O'Hagan, 55, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael O'Haganvictim