Carrigart man found sleeping in flowerbed became abusive to gardaí - Donegal News

A CARRIGART man who was found asleep in a flowerbed became abusive to gardaí who went to his aid. Letterkenny District Court this week heard how Robert McCorkell (41) of Aughadahor, Carrigart was found asleep by gardaí in a flowerbed at Larganreagh in Downings on July 14, 2024, after a 999 call. Gardaí said McCorkell became highly […]

A CARRIGART man who was found asleep in a flowerbed became abusive to gardaí who went to his aid.

Letterkenny District Court this week heard how Robert McCorkell (41) of Aughadahor, Carrigart was found asleep by gardaí in a flowerbed at Larganreagh in Downings on July 14, 2024, after a 999 call.

Gardaí said McCorkell became highly abusive on rousing him and that he was brought to the station to sober up.

The following day, McCorkell was again found highly intoxicated by gardaí.

The court heard how he was trying to get into a parked car on Station Road, Ramelton.

On a later date the defendant was found intoxicated and asleep in the women’s toilets in Dillon’s Hotel in Letterkenny on January 1, 2025. McCorkell became abusive towards Garda Farren and Garda McGlinchey, the court was told. On sobering up McCorkell apologised for his actions.

Defending solicitor Mr Frank Dorrian said his client’s incoherent lashing out was based on excessive alcohol abuse. He said his client was ashamed and embarrassed by his behaviour.

Mr Dorrian told the court his client’s behaviour showed he has an issue with alcohol.

The defendant has nine previous convictions back to 2006 – five of those relating to being intoxicated in a public place. Four convictions were for threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour in a public place.

Judge Emile Daly handed down fines totalling €1,300 on two Section 6 charges of being intoxicated in a public place and two charges of Section 2 assault on Garda Farren and Garda McGlinchey. McCorkell was given six months to pay.

Convicting McCorkill, Judge Emile Daly said an alternative would have been a suspended custodial sentence or a community service order.

The community service order was spared as the defendant is working.

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