Thursday 29 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. 8947Threatening behaviour and public order offences · Co. Westmeath · 6 Apr 2026

Man sentenced to three months after public order incidents in Kilbeggan

On 6 April 2026, Eric Cleary, a 34-year-old man, was involved in public order incidents at Riverview Apartment Complex in Kilbeggan, County Westmeath. He was charged with threatening, insulting and abusive behaviour and being intoxicated in a public place. At a recent sitting of Tullamore District Court, reported on 24 June 2026, the judge considered a community service order instead of prison, which Cleary refused to do, according to his barrister. He was convicted under Section 6 for threatening behaviour and sentenced to three months' imprisonment.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced24 Jun
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Eric Cleary, a 34-year-old man, was charged with threatening, insulting and abusive behaviour and being intoxicated in a public place.
Where
The public order incidents occurred at Riverview Apartment Complex, Kilbeggan, County Westmeath.
When
The public order incidents occurred on 6 April 2026.
In court
The case was heard at a recent sitting of Tullamore District Court, reported on 24 June 2026.
Other details
  • The judge said Cleary had been abusive and had spat at gardaí.
  • Cleary had four previous convictions and a suspended sentence for a previous offence hanging over him, as noted by the judge.
  • The defence barrister, Paul Noctor, said Cleary had lost his job, was homeless and was unable to pay a €5,000 fine.
  • The judge considered a community service order instead of a prison sentence.
  • Cleary refused to do community service, according to his barrister.
Sentence
Cleary was convicted under Section 6 for threatening behaviour and sentenced to three months' imprisonment.
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatEric Cleary was charged with threatening, insulting and abusive behaviour and being intoxicated in a public place. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whereThe public order incidents occurred at Riverview Apartment Complex, Kilbeggan. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whenThe public order incidents occurred on April 6. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtThe case was heard at a recent sitting of Tullamore District Court. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • sentenceCleary was convicted under Section 6 for threatening behaviour and sentenced to three months' imprisonment. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe defence said Cleary had lost his job, was homeless and was unable to pay a €5,000 fine. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe judge noted that Cleary had a suspended sentence for a previous offence hanging over him. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe judge said Cleary had been abusive and had spat at gardaí. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherCleary had four previous convictions. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherThe judge considered a community service order instead of a prison sentence. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherCleary refused to do community service, according to his barrister. (offalyexpress.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 24 Jun2026
    Sentencedoffalyexpress.ie, first report
    Man chooses prison over freedom during Tullamore Court sitting

    Court report of the sentencing at Tullamore District Court. Adds the sentence, the judge's remarks on a suspended sentence and four previous convictions, the refused community service option, and the defence's account of Cleary's homelessness and inability to pay a fine.

    convicted, Eric Cleary, 34, male, named, irish (judged from name)Eric Cleary