Ireland Conviction for public order offence at Dundalk Garda Station dismissed
Michael O'Hagan, 53 or 55, of Mary Street North, Dundalk, was convicted at Dundalk District Court in September 2021 of using threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour after he called a garda a murderer, a moron and a criminal at Dundalk Garda Station on 13 March 2020. He had called to the station alleging the court was run by criminals and gardaí had stolen money from him, and was advised to contact the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission. He was fined €105 for the offence, with the second charge taken into consideration. On appeal at Dundalk Circuit Court in August 2023, the judge found the facts proven but dismissed the charge under the Probation Act, removing the conviction and fine.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced17 Sep
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Michael O'Hagan, 53 or 55, of Mary Street North, Dundalk, called to Dundalk Garda Station alleging the court was run by criminals and gardaí had stolen money from him.
- He was advised to contact the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission and called a garda a moron, a murderer and a criminal.
- Where
- The incident took place at Dundalk Garda Station.
- When
- The incident happened on 13 March 2020 at approximately 1.20pm.
- Investigation
- He was arrested under the Public Order Act.
- Charges
- He was charged with two public order offences: using threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour and failing to comply with the direction of a garda.
- In court
- He was convicted at Dundalk District Court in September 2021 and fined €105, with the second charge taken into consideration.
- On appeal at Dundalk Circuit Court in August 2023, the judge found the facts proven but dismissed the charge under the Probation Act.
- Sentence
- The €105 fine and conviction were removed.
- Other details
- He had four previous convictions including for refusing to give his name and address and failing to comply with the direction of a garda.
23 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe defendant is Michael O'Hagan, 53, of Mary Street North, Dundalk (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whatHe called to the garda station alleging the court was run by criminals and gardaí had stolen money from him (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whatHe was advised to contact the GSOC (Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission) (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whatHe called the garda a moron, murderer and criminal (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whatHe told the court he had documents and photographs the judge needed to look at (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whatHe said they kidnapped him for making a complaint (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whatHe had four previous convictions including for refusing to give his name and address and failing to comply with the direction of a garda (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- 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 garda was on duty at the public hatch at 1.20pm on the date in question (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- whenThe incident happened on 13 March 2020 at lunchtime. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- investigationHe was arrested under the public order act. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- chargeHe was charged with two public order offences arising from the incident on 13 March 2020 (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- chargeHe was arrested for using threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour and failing to comply with the direction of a garda (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- courtThe judge convicted him on the basis of the evidence (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)
- sentenceHe was fined €105 for using threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
- sentenceThe other charge was taken into consideration (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 - 17 Sep2021Dundalk man accuses gardai of kidnapping him
Reports the conviction and €105 fine at Dundalk District Court. O'Hagan, representing himself, claimed he was 'kidnapped for making a complaint' and said he had contacted the Minister for Justice. The judge noted four previous convictions and expressed sympathy before convicting.
suspect, Michael O'Hagan, 53, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael O'Haganvictim, male