WATCH: Man who jumped into garda car during Leitrim stag party learns fate in court

A man who had too much to drink on his stag night in Carrick-on-Shannon and ended up sitting in the driver’s seat of a Garda patrol car — refusing to get out when told — appeared before the courts this week facing two charges of threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour in a public place.

James McDonagh (38), of Ballyhale, Headford, Co Galway, came before Carrick-on-Shannon District Court on January 20 before Judge Éiteáin Cunningham.

The charges arise from an incident in the early hours of Sunday, February 16, 2025, on Main Street, Carrick-on-Shannon, which was captured on video and widely circulated online.

Carrick on Shannon pic.twitter.com/lyi1qNXyHI

— Dubs life (@dubslife1) February 18, 2025

In court, Judge Cunningham described the behaviour as “very serious offending behaviour”, and noted that Gardaí do not deploy force lightly. The court heard Mr McDonagh refused to leave the patrol car when directed and had to be physically removed from the vehicle.

The judge was told Gardaí were forced to use pepper spray during the incident, which she described as “very concerning”, adding that officers do not resort to pepper spray as a first response.

Judge Cunningham told the court Mr McDonagh was “very lucky that there’s no further charges before the court,” and remarked that he was fortunate the matter did not involve allegations of attempting to start the vehicle or take control of it.

The court heard there was no cooperation when Gardaí attempted to get him out of the patrol car, with the judge noting: “There was no agreement to get out of the vehicle when asked to do so.”

Solicitor Martin Burke told the court Mr McDonagh was a married man with a young child who worked full-time as a truck driver, describing the incident as embarrassing and regrettable.

“He was, unfortunately, on his own stag night, Judge,” his solicitor said, adding that Mr McDonagh accepted he had been drinking and that the incident was “totally out of character.”

Judge Cunningham directed Gardaí to make inquiries as to whether Mr McDonagh had come to Garda attention in the intervening period. Following confirmation to the court that he had no previous convictions, she indicated she would allow the matter to be dealt with by way of a payment into the court poor box so that the local community could benefit.

Judge Cunningham directed a €1,000 contribution to the court poor box, the judge indicated that if the money is lodged into court on the return date, Mr McDonagh can be excused from attending.

McDonagh later returned with the 1,000 and told the court “Now, done and dusted. Buy yourself a bottle of wine,” he said to the judge.

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