Waterford court told man who was drunk and aggressive was given a chance to go home

A man, who was given a chance to go home while drunk and aggressive, has been given a €300 fine at Waterford District Court.

Darren Flynn (26), of Poleberry, Waterford, was before Judge Kevin Staunton charged with intoxication in a public place contrary to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act  1994 on March 10, 2025.

Sergeant John Phelan told the court that at 10:10pm on the night of the incident, the arresting garda was on patrol when they were flagged down by a group of people.

The guard was alerted to a male "highly intoxicated and behaving aggressively" on John Street.

But when the guard approached him, he was apologetic and compliant, so they instructed him to go home.  However, the court was told, the garda remained in the area, and the man returned a short time later.

The garda then arrested the man.

The court was told that Mr Flynn has 30 previous convictions.

Acting for the defendant, solicitor Ken Cunningham said his client was apologetic for his behaviour on the night.

Judge Staunton responded: “As he should be, he has been down this road before.” 

The judge imposed a €300 fine and gave him four months to pay it.