Friday 30 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 17098Public order offence · Co. Donegal · 4 Feb 2023

Man fined after refusing to put down traffic cone in Letterkenny

On 4 February 2023 at 2.45am, gardaí on mobile patrol on Main Street, Letterkenny, saw a drunk man walking and stumbling with a traffic cone held above his shoulders. The suspect, Colm Furey, a 24-year-old man from Belcoo, County Fermanagh, refused to put the cone down and refused to give his name, and he was arrested and taken to Letterkenny Garda Station. A fixed charge penalty notice was issued but remained unpaid, and in May 2024 Letterkenny District Court heard the case in his absence, found the facts proven and fined him €150 with five months to pay.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced28 May
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A drunk man refused to put down a traffic cone he was carrying.
Where
The incident took place on Main Street, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal.
When
Gardaí were on mobile patrol at 2.45am on 4 February 2023.
Other details
  • Officers saw a man walking and stumbling forward with a traffic cone held above his shoulders.
  • He refused to give his name when asked under section 24 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994.
  • He was arrested and taken to Letterkenny Garda Station.
  • Furey is a 24-year-old man from Belcoo, County Fermanagh, with no previous convictions.
Charges
A fixed charge penalty notice for a public order offence was issued but remained unpaid.
Investigation
Detective Garda Eimear Hassett gave evidence to the court.
In court
  • The case was dealt with at Letterkenny District Court in the absence of the suspect, Colm Furey.
  • Judge Éiteáin Cunningham found the facts proven; reports are dated 28 May 2024 in one header and 29 May 2024 in the article text.
Sentence
Furey was fined €150 and given five months to pay.
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA drunk man refused to put down a traffic cone he was carrying on Letterkenny Main Street. (donegallive.ie)
  • whereThe incident took place on Main Street, Letterkenny. (donegallive.ie)
  • whenGardaí were on mobile patrol at 2.45am on 4 February 2023. (donegallive.ie)
  • chargeA fixed charge penalty notice was issued but remained unpaid. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtThe case was dealt with at Letterkenny District Court in Furey's absence. (donegallive.ie)
  • courtJudge Éiteáin Cunningham found the facts proven. (donegallive.ie)
  • sentenceFurey was fined €150 and given five months to pay. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherThe man was seen walking and stumbling with the traffic cone held above his shoulders. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherHe refused to give his name when asked under section 24 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherHe was arrested and taken to Letterkenny Garda Station. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherFurey has no previous convictions. (donegallive.ie)
  • otherFurey is a 24-year-old of Belcoo, County Fermanagh. (donegallive.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 28 May2024
    Sentenceddonegallive.ie, first report
    Drunk man who wouldn't drop traffic cone for Letterkenny gardai gets fined

    Reports the court outcome: Furey did not appear, the judge found the facts proven and he was fined €150 with five months to pay. Gives the arrest and the unpaid fixed charge penalty notice.

    convicted, Colm Furey, 24, male, named, irish (judged from name)Colm Furey