A MAN who was found drunk outside Bantry’s tourist office was put on probation bond for a year. 

Aodhon O’Murchu (43), of Licknavar, Skibbereen, appeared at Skibbereen District Court charged with a public order offence.

Sgt Tom Mulchay said that at 3.25am on 20th December last, the accused was found seated on a footpath in Wolfe Tone Square in Bantry in a drunken state.

Gardaí at the scene made efforts to contact one of his friends to collect him, before arresting him for his own safety and taken to Bantry Garda station.

The court heard that the defendant had 38 previous convictions, 17 of which were for public order matters.

Defence solicitor Colette McCarthy said her client has an alcohol issue and a serious mental health issue.

‘He got separated from his friend and then had nowhere to stay, so he slept on the side of the tourist office in Bantry,’ she said.

Judge Joanne Carroll admitted him to a probation bond, with the conditions that he engages with the probation service, attends all appointments, engages with mental health services, takes all prescribed medication, engages with addiction services and gets counselling for his alcohol issue.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.