Man fined by Kildare judge following Newbridge public order and resisting arrest incident

A Newbridge man was fined in Naas District Court over his role in a public disorder incident which took place on the Main Street of the town.

Judge Desmond Zaidan made the decision on Thursday, June 27 last to fine James Meehan, of 9 Lakeside Crescent in Newbridge, for the offence.

Gardaí outlined to the judge that the 56-year-old was involved in a public disorder incident while intoxicated on the Main Street of Newbridge on December 9, 2021.

This incident resulted in mr Meehan being charged with Sections 4 and 6 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994.

Section 4 relates to being intoxicated in a public place, while Section 6 relates to threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour which occurs in a public place.

It was also heard that he had attempted to resist arrest by gardaí.

This offence falls under Section 19 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994.

The judge was told by gardaí that Mr Meehan has 13 previous convictions, but none for any public disorder offences.

Defending barrister Mark Gibbons said that while his client had issues with alcohol in the past, his client is now sober.

When the Judge Zaidan asked the gardaí if Mr Meehan had come to garda attention since the incident, gardaí told him that he had not.

The judge decided to impose a €500 fine on Mr Meehan for the Section 6 offence, and gave him three months to pay this fine.

He took into consideration the Section 4 and Section 19 offences.