Young man in threat to ‘knock out’ garda sergeant on street in Limerick town

A YOUNG man told a now garda inspector he would “knock him out” after he encountered him on the street.

James Mulcaire, aged 19, of Abbeycourt Estate, Rathkeale pleaded guilty at Newcastle West Court to engaging in threatening / abusive / insulting behaviour.

Inspector Gearoid Thompson said gardai were on routine patrol in Rathkeale on December 3, 2021 when they encountered Mr Mulcaire.

“He was verbally abusive to Insp (Barry) Manton (then a garda sergeant). He used vile and abusive words and said, ‘I’ll knock you out, Manton’.

“There were members of the public in Abbeycourt Estate at the time. He was directed to leave which he did,” said Insp Thompson.

Ted McCarthy, solicitor for Mr Mulcaire, said his client was diagnosed with ADHD at a young age and receives ongoing treatment and medication.

“He apologises for the manner in which he spoke to Sgt Manton. His mother has spoken to me and said he was not brought up to behave like this,” said Mr McCarthy.

The solicitor said Mr Mulcaire and Sgt Manton had spoken earlier on the day in question.

“He got into his head that there was some form of victimisation. He accepts it was not appropriate to focus on Sgt Manton.

“There were other gardai present. He accepted it was wrong. He apologises and regrets it,” said Mr McCarthy.

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Judge Carol Anne Coolican said Mr Mulcaire could “face prison” on the summons of threatening / abusive / insulting behaviour which is an offence under the Public Order Act.

Mr McCarthy said Mr Mulcaire lives at home and has a 13-month-old child which he is “focusing on”.

Judge Coolican convicted and fined Mr Mulcaire €250.

The accused was separately before the court for driving without reasonable consideration at Riddlestown, near Glin on November 11, 2021.

Evidence was heard that a garda witnessed Mr Mulcaire’s driving causing a motorist “to brake and swerve towards the ditch”.

The garda turned to follow the vehicle but it was “too late”.

The garda subsequently called to Mr Mulcaire’s address and informed him that a fixed charge penalty notice would follow in the post.

Mr Mulcaire took the stand and said he never received such a notice. “I would have paid it. I didn’t know about it,” he said.

Judge Coolican said to Mr Mulcaire: “This is the first time that you (have) looked at me since you went into the witness box.”

Mr Mulcaire replied: “I was looking at my solicitor. I did not receive it.”

The matter was struck out.