Ireland Man fined for public order offences in Newport, Co Tipperary
Matthew Conroy, a man from Kilcommon, was convicted at Nenagh District Court of being intoxicated in public and of threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour following an incident at The Square, Newport, Co Tipperary, on 5 January 2023. Garda Michael Boland attended the scene around 9.20pm after receiving calls about Conroy's conduct, finding him unsteady, swerving across the road in front of traffic, and smelling of alcohol. Conroy, who called a garda a "fat c***", was taken to Nenagh Garda Station where he continued to be abusive and refused to sign the custody record. Judge Elizabeth MacGrath convicted him on both counts and fined him €300 for the behaviour offence and €150 for intoxication, with a further €250 recognizance in his own bond.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced13 Jul
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Matthew Conroy staggered and swerved across the road in front of traffic at The Square, appearing unsteady on his feet with a smell of alcohol, and verbally abused Garda Michael Boland, calling him a "fat c***".
- An open beer can and a number of other cans were found in a plastic bag beside a fast food outlet, which Conroy claimed as his property.
- Where
- The incident took place at The Square, Newport, Co Tipperary, and Conroy was taken to Nenagh Garda Station where he continued to be abusive and refused to sign the custody record.
- When
- Garda Boland attended the scene around 9.20pm on 5 January 2023.
- Investigation
- Conroy told the court he had arrived in Newport between 3pm and 4pm, had a coffee and a pint in two pubs, and had fallen and banged his head; under cross-examination he said he had drunk no more than one can of beer.
- Charges
- Conroy was charged with being intoxicated in public and with threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour under the Public Order Act.
- In court
- Judge Elizabeth MacGrath at Nenagh District Court convicted Conroy on both counts.
- Sentence
- Conroy was fined €300 for threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour and €150 for being intoxicated in public, with a recognizance in his own bond of €250.
16 statements extracted from the articles
- whatMr Conroy appeared to be unsteady on his feet and walked across the road in front of traffic. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whatThere was a smell of alcohol from Mr Conroy. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whatMr Conroy asked Garda Boland to take off his jacket. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whatMr Conroy staggered across the road and was swerving from side to side. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whatAn open beer can and a number of other cans were found in a plastic bag beside a fast food outlet, which Mr Conroy claimed as his property. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whatGarda Aoife Shine could smell alcohol from Mr Conroy at the station and he refused to sign the custody record. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whatMr Conroy said he had arrived in Newport between 3pm and 4pm and had a coffee and a pint in two pubs. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whatMr Conroy said he had fallen, turned his ankle and banged his head when checking bus timetables. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whatCross-examined, Mr Conroy said he had drunk no more than one can of beer. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whereThe incident took place at The Square, Newport, on 5 January 2023. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whereMr Conroy was taken to Nenagh Garda Station where he continued to be abusive. (tipperarylive.ie)
- whenGarda Boland went to the scene around 9.20pm. (tipperarylive.ie)
- courtJudge MacGrath convicted Mr Conroy on both counts. (tipperarylive.ie)
- sentenceMr Conroy was fined €300 for threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour. (tipperarylive.ie)
- sentenceMr Conroy was fined €150 for being intoxicated in public. (tipperarylive.ie)
- sentenceA recognizance in his own bond of €250 was set. (tipperarylive.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 13 Jul2023Court: Drunk Tipperary man who verbally abused garda 'staggered' across the road
Full court details of the conviction and sentencing, including witness testimony from three gardaí and the defendant's own evidence.
convicted, Matthew Conroy, male, named, irish (judged from name)Matthew Conroy