Man in Waterford court for giving the middle finger to Gardaí
Waterford Courthouse.
A man appeared in Waterford District Court last week for showing his middle finger to Gardaí because he believed they were unfairly following him.
The man, who pleaded guilty to the offence, is 43-year-old Derek Cliffe, of 44 Radharc Na Siúire, Ballygunner, Waterford.
On May 1 of this year, as a Gardaí mobile patrol unit drove past him on the Dunmore Road he stuck up his middle finger to them, the court was informed.
Upon being approached by gardaí, he was uncooperative and verbally abusive.
His defence solicitor, Hilary Delahunty, said it was an “abysmal episode” from his client, and he can’t explain why it happened.
He said that Cliffe was walking home at the time and gardaí took an interest in him.
Cliffe, however, felt they were taking too much interest and he “bizarrely” decided to make the gesture towards them.
Judge Darach McCarthy told the man to “keep it to yourself” if he has a suspicion that gardaí are following him.
He was ordered to pay €100 to the Court Poor Box.
If Cliffe pays the fee, the matter will be struck out.
If not, he will be convicted.
“You won’t get this chance again,” Judge McCarthy told the man.
