A student who headbutted a garda on the nose was battling a significant alcohol problem at the time, a court heard.
Mark Fitzgerald (22) also pushed out at officers during his arrest, but said he couldn’t remember anything about his behaviour on the night.
Judge David McHugh ordered Mr Fitzgerald to complete the restorative justice services programme and adjourned sentencing to a date in June.
If Mr Fitzgerald produced a good report, Judge McHugh said he would consider leaving him without a conviction.
The defendant, of Old Windmill Court, Gerald Griffin Street, Limerick city, admitted assaulting Garda Darragh Power, as well as failing to provide his details to gardaí, resisting arrest and threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour.
Sergeant David Sharkey told Blanchardstown District Court that gardaí came across Mr Fitzgerald at the Ongar Distributor Road, Dublin 15, on March 4, 2023.
The sergeant said Mr Fitzgerald was in an intoxicated state and unsteady and a danger to traffic.
Sgt Sharkey said the defendant became threatening and abusive to gardaí, cursing at them.
He was asked for his name and address but he failed to provide them to officers.
Sgt Sharkey said Mr Fitzgerald obstructed gardaí in the arrest, by pushing out at them.
Mr Fitzgerald was brought to Blanchardstown garda station, where he headbutted Gda Power on the bridge of his nose, leaving him with minor injuries.
The court heard that the defendant had no previous convictions.
His defence lawyer said that Mr Fitzgerald was a student and currently completing a pre-nursing course, and he hoped to work towards a degree in nursing.
The defence said that at the time of this incident Mr Fitzgerald was battling a significant problem with alcohol, had too much to drink and he could not remember the night.
He had also suffered with mental health problems, the lawyer added.
The defendant was very embarrassed and ashamed of his behaviour, the court heard.
Mr Fitzgerald had offered a fulsome apology to gardaí, which had been accepted, the lawyer said.
The defence said that Mr Fitzgerald was doing much better. He had been attending Alcoholics Anonymous, was doing very well, and was now over 100 days sober.
The lawyer said he realised it was a big ask, but he pleaded with Judge McHugh to consider leaving Mr Fitzgerald without a conviction, saying that the defendant hoped to travel to Australia for work in the future, and a conviction would impact on his ability to travel.
Get ahead of the day with the morning headlines at 7.30am and Fionnán Sheahan’s exclusive take on the day’s news every afternoon, with our free daily newsletter.
News Related-
Pedestrian in his 70s dies after being struck by a lorry in Co Laois
-
Vermont shooting updates: Burlington police reveal suspect’s eerie reaction to arrest
-
Grace Dent says her ‘heart is broken’ as she exits I’m A Celebrity early
-
Stromer’s ST3 Urban E-Bike Goes Fancy With Minimalist Design, Modern Tech
-
Under-pressure Justice Minister announces review of the use of force for gardaí
-
My appearance has changed because of ageing, says Jennifer Lawrence
-
Man allegedly stabbed in the head during row in Co Wexford direct provision centre
-
Children escape without injury after petrol bomb allegedly thrown at house in Cork City
-
Wexford gardai investigating assault as man is bitten in the face during Main Street altercation
-
Child minder’s husband handed eight year sentence for abusing two children
-
The full list of the best London restaurants, cafes and takeaways revealed at the Good Food Awards
-
Mazda CEO Says EVs 'Not Taking Off' In The U.S.—Except Teslas
-
Leitrim locals set up checkpoint to deter asylum seekers
-
Ask A Doctor: Can You Get Shingles More Than Once?