Judge ‘not impressed’ with man’s drunken interaction with gardaí

A JUDGE has told a young man that she is “not impressed at all” with how he conducted himself with gardaí during a drunken incident in Letterkenny.

Judge Éiteáin Cunningham made her comments at Monday’s sitting of Letterkenny District Court in relation to defendant John Morrow.

Morrow (19) of Silverwood, Ballybofey, appeared before the court in connection with the incident at Lower Main Street, Letterkenny, on January 19, 2025.

Sergeant Jim Collins told of how gardaí observed Morrow in a “highly intoxicated” and “unsteady” state, and acting in an aggressive manner in the early hours of the day in question.

When gardaí asked Morrow to leave the area, the court was told how he told gardai to “f–k off”. As officers moved to arrest him, Morrow became embroiled in a physical altercation with gardaí.

He was subsequently arrested and conveyed to Letterkenny Garda Station.

Defendant’s solicitor Michael Shiel said his client instructed him to tender a guilty plea. He told the court his client doesn’t remember much about the incident.

“He had a lot of drink taken,” said Mr Shiel.

“It is not in his form to do that. He did apologise before he left the garda station. When he sobered up, he saw the error of his ways.”

But Judge Cunningham described the interaction with garda members as “concerning”.

“At 19-years-old, not withstanding his level of intoxication, he thought it ok to interact with gardaí in the way in which he did. I am not impressed at all with how he conducted himself.”

She added that Morrow should consider himself “very lucky” that she would consider a donation to charity in the case.

Co-accused in the case is Jamie Dowd (20) of 17 Mark House, Stranorlar. The court heard how Dowd attempted to open a garda patrol van after his friend Morrow was arrested.

“He was to open the van to release him,” Sergeant Collins said.

He said the circumstances with Dowd’s arrest were similar while there was “a bit of physicality” involved.

Solicitor for Dowd, Frank Dorrian, said his client was “delivering a protest about the other gentleman having been arrested.”

Both men were charged with obstructing a peace officer in the execution of his duty, contrary to section 19 (3) of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994.

In the case of each accused Judge Cunningham directed they make a €300 contribution each to Donegal Hospice. A default order of a conviction and a €400 fine was set down for both men if the donation is not made to charity by September 8.

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