Man on bail for public order offences

A DUBLIN man with a number of previous convictions has been remanded on continuing bail charged with public order offences.

Freddie Thompson (28), Loreto Road, Maryland, Dublin 8, failed to appear before Dublin District Court yesterday to face the charges, which relate to an incident at the Central Bar, Aungier Street, Dublin 2, on April 5th last.

He is charged with threatening and abusive behaviour, under Section 6 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994, and with loitering in a public place, under Section 8 of the same act. He has 28 previous convictions.

Garda Kevin Molyneaux told the court he was directed to the Central Bar at 8.15pm on April 5th and that when he arrived he noticed a group of five people, one of whom he knew as the accused.

Garda Molyneaux said the barman had refused to serve the accused more alcohol and that he believed if Mr Thompson had consumed more it could have resulted in a breach of the peace.

The court heard that Garda Molyneaux warned Mr Thompson if he did not leave the premises he would have to arrest him.

However, Mr Thompson said he was not moving unless the barman told him to do so, prompting Garda Molyneaux to arrest him.

Garda Molyneaux said Mr Thompson offered no response when cautioned, but when he was charged later that day he apologised for what he had said.

Garda John O’Halloran said he observed an intoxicated Mr Thompson being asked to leave the bar and reacting in an abusive manner. He said the accused responded by saying: “I’m not leaving the f***ing bar until the barman asks me to.”

Garda Damien Beakey told the court that when he arrived at the Central Bar he noticed Mr Thompson saying “here come the boys in blue” in an aggressive manner and that he appeared to be in an agitated state.

Keith Spencer, representing Thompson, asked Judge Mary Collins to strike the case out as CCTV footage, which would have been available from the bar, was not requested that night.

Garda Molyneaux said attempts were made to retrieve the footage, but it had been recorded over. Judge Collins refused the request.

Mr Spencer said the Central Bar was clearly not a public place and that it was not an offence to be drunk on a licensed premises.

He said there was no indication the barman had withdrawn consent for his client to be on the premises and that he did not believe his client had breached the public order terms of the act.

Judge Collins said she was quite satisfied the evidence provided constituted a breach of the peace, as the accused was in a drunken state, and engaged in abusive and reckless behaviour.

She remanded him on continuing bail until November 12th.