Conviction and fine for calling gardaí ‘Free State b**tards’ - Donegal News

A man has been fined €300 after he verbally abused gardaí in Letterkenny.

A MAN has been fined €300 after he verbally abused gardaí in Letterkenny.

Garda Declan Roper said at Letterkenny District Court that he had been in Barnhill Park, Letterkenny, on June 8, 2025, when he was verbally abused by Gabriel Kelly of Glenside, Omagh.

Garda Roper told the court he was working at a traffic stop, when the front passenger of a car exited the vehicle and proceed to call gardaí “Free State b**tards and w**kers”.

He arrested Kelly and put him in the back of a patrol car and took him to Letterkenny Garda Station.

Kelly was issued an adult caution, but did not show up for his appointment.

He was then summoned but failed to appear at last Tuesday’s sitting.

Judge Emile Daly convicted the 52-year-old and imposed a fine of €300, which he has four months to pay.

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