A DRUNK man who took refuge and slept on a bench at Bantry Garda Station was prosecuted for being intoxicated on New Year’s Eve.

Bartolomej Botos (42) of Flat 5, The Schooner Bar, Barrack Street, Bantry, pleaded guilty to committing the public order offence when the case was called at a recent sitting of the local district court.

‘I went in to lie down on the bench in the garda station and they took me inside into the cell,’ the accused told Judge Joanne Carroll.

Flor Murphy, the solicitor who appeared on behalf of the accused, was granted free legal aid and the charge was struck out by Judge Carroll after Bartolomej Botos made a €75 donation to the Court Poor Box.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.