Man to face probation report after spitting on Garda

A man who spat at a Garda and inside a Garda patrol car while highly intoxicated has been ordered to pay for the damage and will be assessed for community service, Carrick-on-Shannon District Court heard on Jan 27. Bernard Corcoran (33), of 4 Creggage, Ballinaloe, Galway, was charged with assault, threatening to assault a peace officer, and criminal damage. The incident occurred on June 30, 2023, after Gardaí responded to a call in the Faroe Meadows area. He was arrested at the scene, taken into custody, and placed in a patrol car to be transported to Castlerea Garda Station.

While being transported, Mr Corcoran spat at a Garda, striking the officer on the head and arm. He also spat inside the patrol car, which later required forensic cleaning at a cost of €150. The court was told Mr Corcoran has 53 previous convictions, many of them alcohol-related. Garda evidence outlined that he has a history of alcohol misuse and related offences.
However, it was also noted that he has recently engaged with support services and has not consumed alcohol in the past month.

The court further heard that he is due to be married in April. Defence solicitor Peter Collins said his client is getting married in April. Judge Éiteáin Cunningham said his history was “not offering much comfort” and noted that most of his
previous convictions were alcohol-related. She said that if he is getting married, he will need to seriously consider his behaviour if he is going to have obligations in the future. Judge Cunningham described the behaviour as “disgusting” and said that spitting in a Garda vehicle while members of An Garda Síochána were carrying out their duties was “very
disrespectful.”

The judge directed that a probation and welfare report be prepared to assess Mr Corcoran’s suitability for community service. He was also ordered to pay €150 to cover the cost of cleaning the patrol car. Judge Cunningham warned that previous sentencing options had not deterred him and said the situation “cannot continue like that,” adding that this may be a last opportunity for him to address his behaviour. The case was adjourned for the preparation of the probation report.