Man threw bicycle in front of patrol car

A father of two who was given the benefit of a probation order by a judge was arrested just over a month later after he threw a bicycle in front of a patrol car while drunk, a court has heard.

Ned Connors (21), of 152 Newtown Lawns, Mullingar, Westmeath appeared at a recent sitting of Mullingar District Court. He was arrested and charged following an incident at Friarsmill Road, Mullingar, Westmeath on March 29 this year.

Sgt Orla Keenan said it was at around 1.30pm that gardaí first came across an intoxicated Mr Connors where they asked him to leave the area.

The court heard that as gardaí turned their vehicle to leave, Mr Connors suddenly picked up a bicycle, walked into the middle of the road and threw it in front of the garda car.

Mr Connors declined to pick up the bicycle and became abusive, said Sgt Keenan which resulted in his arrest.

The court heard Mr Connors had 26 previous convictions on his record, the most recent of which was recorded on February 15 when a probation order was handed down.

That ruling, it was revealed, was made on foot of a string of offences including two counts of criminal damage, the unauthorised taking of a vehicle, driving without a driver’s licence and no insurance.

Louis Kiernan, defending, said the most recent bicycle incident on Friarsmill Road was a “different calibre” of offence than what his client had previously come to attention for.

He said a key catalyst behind the incident came after Mr Connors become incensed at being knocked off the bicycle just prior to his arrest.

“He had drink taken and he was actually knocked off the bike,” he said.

“Gardaí arrived at the scene and he felt it wasn’t being taken seriously and obviously he had drink on board.”

Judge Owens, however, appeared to raise doubts as to this precise take on events when asking: “Was he knocked off it or did he fall off it?” Mr Connors, for his part, who had remained silent throughout, replied by insisting he had been knocked from the bicycle.

“He was upset and the lady was let go on her way and probably rightly so, but that wasn’t his perception at what had happened,” added Mr Kiernan.

Judge Owens said in light or Mr Connors’ guilty plea, she would convict and fine the accused €200, giving him six months to pay.