Gardaí used pepper spray on aggressive man, Carlow Court told  - News - Carlow Nationalist

Gardaí used pepper spray on aggressive man, Carlow Court told  - News - Carlow Nationalist

A CARLOW man was fined €300 at a recent sitting of Carlow District Court for an incident in which gardaí had to pepper spray him to subdue him.

Lee Coakley, 55 Carrigbrook, Tullow Road, Carlow was convicted of a section 4 public order offence, of being intoxicated in a public place, on 28 June at The Laurels, Carlow. Gardaí responded to a report of a dispute in the area and observed the defendant holding a bottle and appearing to be under the influence of an intoxicant.

The court heard that Mr Coakley (34) became immediately argumentative and aggressive with the gardaí. After his arrest, the defendant maintained an aggressive demeanour and the gardaí felt it necessary to use ‘OC Spray’ (Oleoresin Capsicum, commonly known as pepper spray) to subdue him.

Mr Coakley has five previous convictions for public order offences, the most recent of which was imposed in April and carried a fine of €150.

Judge Geraldine Carthy convicted and fined the defendant €300 for the most recent offence.