A 35-year-old Ballybunion man who hit a garda with his own baton has been jailed for 18 months.
Michael Clancy, formerly of Doon West, Ballybunion, pleaded guilty to assaulting a peace officer and burglary, both on 23rd October 2022.
Judge Ronan Munro said the difference between Mr Clancy’s behaviour when he’s drinking and on drugs, compared to when he’s sober, is almost a Jekyll and Hyde situation.
Mr Clancy pleaded guilty to assaulting the garda at Marian Crescent in Ballybunion on 23rd October 2022.
The garda was trying to arrest him after a spate of alcohol-fuelled offending on the day in question at his family home, when Mr Clancy grabbed the garda’s baton and hit him in the thigh with it.
He evaded arrest, and then broke into a holiday home which was unoccupied, where he made himself some rice to eat and poured himself a glass of whiskey to drink.
Earlier that day, his family had called the guards on him on several occasions, for what the court heard was disturbances and violence within his parents’ home, as well as damage to the house and his sister’s car.
He was eventually arrested at the bandstand in Ballybunion that evening, where a children’s event was taking place and Mr Clancy was present with the bottle of whiskey.
The court heard that he told the gardaí arresting him that he knew where they lived, and threatened he would burn down their houses.
Barrister Katie O’Connell, defending Mr Clancy, said he came from a very well-regarded family, that his parents were present in court and are very supportive.
She said when he’s not drinking or on drugs, he’s a totally different person, but alcohol and drug addiction may well be the death of him.
Ms O’Connell said her client is very apologetic and remorseful, and the very serious charges don’t reflect his behaviour or the intent behind it.
Judge Ronan Munro said whatever happens to Mr Clancy, he deals with it by drinking and taking drugs.
He said Mr Clancy turns into a lout, in what is almost a Jekyll and Hyde situation, but the tragedy is that he can clearly apply himself.
He sentenced him to three years in total on the two charges, with 18 months suspended.
Judge Munro said Mr Clancy has to pay for what he did, as attacking a garda is like an attack on society.
