Man was defending girlfriend
Wednesday March 10 2010
A MAN who was arrested when he obstructed gardaí as they tried to arrest his girlfriend on public order charges was given one chance at Drogheda District Court.
Kieran Rogan (30) with an address in Cabra, Dublin 7 was charged with failing to comply with the direction of a member of the gardaí, being intoxicated in a public place and engaging in threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour at Fairgreen, Drogheda on February 21st.
The court heard that in reply to the charges Rogan said: 'Whatever you think yourself, I was defending my girlfriend.'
Garda Keith Dempsey told the court gardaí had been dealing with a public order incident and were in the process of arresting the defendant's girlfriend when Rogan caused an obstruction.
He was instructed to leave the area but refused to do so.
Solicitor Dermot Monahan said his client was very embarrassed and ashamed. 'Drink is something he doesn't handle very well,' he said.
Mr Monahan said his client's girlfriend had been away in Australia for a year and they had been out celebrating her return.
Judge Patrick Clyne agreed to strike out the charges after hearing the defendant would make a € 250 donation to Drogheda Homeless Aid.
