A JUDGE has asked if a few weeks in jail would cure a “smirking” Shannon man who threatened to “karate kick” a garda.

Judge Mary Larkin was speaking at Ennis district court after hearing details of a public order incident that occurred in the Fairgreen, Ennis on June 29, 2022.

Outlining the facts of the case, Sergeant Aiden Lonergan told the court that gardaí responded to a health call at the popular public park on the date in question. 

Sergeant Lonergan said gardaí spoke to Lee Mulqueen who became verbally abusive and aggressive. 

The court heard Mulqueen told gardaí, “F**k off ye fat b******s. Ye are nothing but scumbags. Come near me and I will karate kick you into the head, go f**k yourself”. 

Sergeant Lonergan said Mulqueen refused to comply with a direction to leave the area and continued to be abusive. 

Mulqueen, with former addresses in Shannon and Connolly Place, Waterford city, pleaded guilty to engaging in behaviour or using words with intent to provoke a breach of the peace or being reckless as to whether a beach of the peace may be occasioned. 

Sergeant Lonergan said the accused has 25 previous convictions including a number for public order offences. 

Judge Larkin told Mulqueen’s solicitor, Daragh Hassett, that she had observed the accused in the dock as Sergeant Lonergan outlined details of the incident. 

Judge Larkin said, “Mr Mulqueen found this funny, Mr Hassett, and he was smirking. I don’t know if he is dealing with this matter seriously at all.”

Mr Hassett said, “He’s a complicated young man, judge. He has a mouth on him.”

Judge Larkin replied, “If I send him to jail for a few weeks, won’t that cure him?” 

Mr Hassett told the court that at the time of the incident, his client was living in a tent in the Fairgreen. 

He said Mr Mulqueen had been drinking, fell asleep and “woke up in bad form” when the gardaí arrived. 

Mr Hassett said his client was suffering from an arm injury and he reacted badly when the garda put his hand on the arm. 

Mr Hassett said his client has had anger issues for many years and drink does not suit him. 

He said Mr Mulqueen is originally from Shannon and has secured accommodation in a guest house in Ennis.

He said his client is not drinking and is abiding by the rules in place at the guest house. 

Judge Larkin ordered a report from the probation services to determine Mulqueen’s suitability for community service. The case was adjourned to December 6