A DRUNKEN fisherman who walked around Skibbereen topless just before Christmas was ordered to pay €150 to the Court Poor Box and placed on probation for a year.

Callum Fahy (26), of Mizen View, Ballinard, Baltimore, pleaded guilty to a public order offence at Skibbereen District Court.

Sgt Tom Mulcahy told the court that gardaí were on patrol in Skibbereen on December 8th last at around 8.50pm when they saw the accused walking around Main Street without a shirt and arrested him.

‘They  saw a man walking without a shirt in front of traffic. There was a strong smell of intoxicants coming from him and he was unsteady on his feet,’ said Sgt Mulcahy.

Mr Fahy told Judge Joanne Carroll that he wasn’t working at the time because he broke his leg.

‘I was off for six weeks and started drinking heavily. I’m back to work and doing a lot better. When I’m working I don’t drink,’ he said.

The court heard the defendant had 16 previous convictions, including for public order, drug possession and assault.

His most recent conviction was  a €350 fine for a public order offence on December 11th 2025, as well as two separate charges for causing harm and assault on October 10th 2024 which led to prison sentences, part-suspended and suspended for two years respectively.

‘You are a fisherman and a very skilled operator,’ said Judge Carroll.

‘Walking down the street with no shirt on is no way to behave at a time when relatives are getting together.’

She ordered him to pay €150 to the Court Poor Box and placed him on a probation bond for 12 months. The conditions of the bond include that he co-operates with the Probation Service, attends for any counselling advised and also attends addiction treatment.

He was remanded on continuing bail to appear in court on January 27th to ensure the donation was paid.

Judge Carroll said she would impose a €300 fine if he had not made the payment to the Poor Box by his next court date.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.