Athy man gets conviction for calling garda 'a prick'

“How brave!” said a judge sarcastically to a man who had to be held back by a female cousin while drunkenly abusing gardaí on the streets of Athy.

Judge Desmond Zaidan was talking to Aaron Walsh (24), Townspark, Athy in the district court, where Mr Walsh was appearing for sentencing after pleading guilty to public drunkenness and threatening and abusive behaviour on Leinster Street on 3 February.

“Do you remember this?” asked the judge.

“No,” said Mr Walsh.

“I’m not surprised,” sighed Judge Zaidan.

Sergeant Dave Hanrahan for the state assisted the court with some detail.

“On the night in question, gardaí were on patrol on Leinster Street and Mr Walsh called him a prick,” said the sergeant.

“And you were held back by a female cousin? How brave!” scoffed the judge.

The court heard how Mr Walsh has two previous convictions for intoxication in public.

“I’ve known Aaron for years,” said Jackie McManus in his defence.

“Why aren’t you working? There’s full employment in Ireland. You’re wasting your money on alcohol,” said the judge.

Then, in a curious volte face, he turned to Sgt Hanrahan and said: “Would I be right, or would I be right, sergeant, but Kildare gardaí will be the last to receive body cams?” 

Since September these devices has been rolled out in four garda divisions in a pilot scheme. 

“If they had them, I’d be playing this back to you and you could see yourself making a fool of yourself.

“You wouldn’t like someone to call you a prick, but you did that to a garda in uniform,” said the judge, before fining the defendant €500.