Returned emigrant fined for ‘acting the maggot’ on Christmas Eve
Limerick District Court
AN emigrant who returned from Australia for Christmas shouldn’t have thought he was entitled to “act the maggot” on the streets of Limerick, Judge Eugene O’Kelly has said.
He was commenting as 25-year-old Joe Bermingham appeared before Limerick District Court to plead guilty to public order offences arising from an incident in the city centre in the early hours of Christmas Eve.
Inspector Luke Conlon told the court that Mr Bermingham, of Kilcoonan, Ballyneety, jumped on to a moving vehicle on Ellen Street at around 12.45am while there was a considerable amount of vehicles and pedestrians in the area. He had shouted abuse at gardai and ran off toward Carr Street before being arrested, the court heard.
Solicitor Tom Kiely said Mr Bermingham was “blind drunk” on the night and had no recollection of events.
He apologised for his actions and expressed concern that a conviction could jeopardise his chances of getting residency in Australia, where the court heard he has worked as an engineer for the past two years.
Judge O’Kelly asked why he thought he could come back to Ireland and “act the maggott”, to which Mr Kiely said there was no explanation.
The judge indicated he was prepared to give Mr Bermingham a chance if a contribution of €300 was made to the court poor box. After the sum was lodged, the judge struck out the charges ahead of Mr Bermingham’s return to Australia this Monday.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Weather for Limerick
Thursday 20 June 2013
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 12 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 12 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: South west
