A man who was drunk and unsteady on his feet in the middle of the day, in the middle of the village of Ballydehob, was arrested for his own safety.

Gda Liam O'Shea was called by the court presenter, Sgt Tim Mulcahy, to give evidence in the case at Bantry District Court.

Gda O'Shea gave evidence that at 1.20pm on November 2nd 2024, the accused, Stuart Donovan of 199 Farranferris Avenue, Farranree, Cork, was seen staggering around the village.

The garda said Ballydehob was very busy at the time, with a lot of cars passing through, and the accused was danger to himself and others, so he arrested him for his own safety.

Sgt Mulcahy told Judge Joanne Carroll that the accused has 45 previous convictions, 17 of which are for being intoxicated in a public place.

Speaking in his own defence, Stuart Donovan informed the court that he has been sober for 10 months, and is attending AA, treatment and counselling.

Noting the garda's comments that there was nothing untoward or aggressive about the accused's behaviour, Judge Carroll placed the accused on a probation bond for nine months and recommended that he take up the support of the probation service.

The accused thanked the judge saying: 'I appreciate that.'

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.