Man drunk in public can't pay fine, Waterford District Court told
Waterford Courthouse
A Waterford man charged with public intoxication, who cannot pay a fine as he is in custody, has been given the benefit of the Probation Act.
Marcus O’Neill (35) of Flat 3, 9 Bridge Street, Waterford, pleaded guilty to being intoxicated in a public place contrary to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994 at a sitting of Waterford District Court before Judge John Cheatle.
The man appeared by video link.
Sergeant Michael Hickey told the court that while on patrol on New Street, Waterford, at 10:25pm on August 3, 2024, gardaí came across Mr O’Neill intoxicated and unable to stand.
He was arrested for his own safety.
The court was told that the defendant has eight previous convictions for public order offences, criminal damage and possession of a knife or other articles.
Acting for the defendant, solicitor Derek Connors told the court that a custodial sentence could not be imposed for the offence but that his client would be unable to pay a fine as he is in custody on an unrelated matter.
Judge Cheatle applied Section 1.1 of the Probation of Offenders Act, 1907.
