Arrest warrant issued for Fr Ted actor after ‘spitting’ in cell

An arrest warrant has been issued for actor Gerard McSorley after he failed to turn up in court to face a series of charges.

Mr McSorley, whose television roles have included playing Fr Todd Unctious in Father Ted, was due to appear at Letterkenny District Court in Co Donegal after being arrested on November 26th for a breach of the peace.

It is alleged the 69-year-old actor had been taken to Letterkenny Garda station after engaging in threatening, insulting or abusive behaviour and while at the station, continued to breach the peace.

He is also charged with damaging property while in the cell at Letterkenny Garda station. Details of the second charge against the actor were contained in the charge sheets.

The charge reads: “[You]did without lawful excuse damage property, to with, cell door by constantly spitting on it during your stay in Garda custody and covering same in saliva resulting in the cell having to be cleaned belonging to Chief Superintendent of Letterkenny Garda station.”

Mr McSorley, of Trinity Court, Newtowncunningham, Co Donegal, did not appear in court to answer the charges.

He also did not have any legal representation when the case was called before Judge Paul Kelly.

The judge issued a bench warrant for Mr McSorley’s arrest.

The actor has appeared in many television plays and films including Braveheart, Veronica Guerin and Angela’s Ashes. He is originally from Omagh in Co Tyrone but has been living in Co Donegal for many years.