A MAN who was found roaring and shouting on a Skibbereen street during a domestic incident was given a three-month suspended sentence.

Ramunas Skipinas (40), of Townshend Street, Skibbereen, pleaded guilty to using or engaging in threatening, abusive words or behaviour.

Skibbereen District Court heard that at 8am on March 31st last gardaí spotted him and a woman close to Townshend Street.

Sgt Tom Mulcahy told the court that Mr Skipinas was shouting and roaring at the woman who was lying on the ground.

Gardaí saw him push her but she told gardaí that she did not wish to make a complaint.

‘He was standing over the woman and the garda pulled him away and sat him on nearby steps,’ said Sgt Mulcahy.

Mr Skipinas was arrested and taken to Skibbereen Garda station while the woman later came to the station and asked to withdraw her complaint.

The court heard that both parties were sober at the time of the incident.

The court heard that the defendant has 22 previous convictions, including theft, drug offences, driving without insurance and other road traffic offences.

Defence solicitor Colette McCarthy said she had to take issue with the alleged pushing.

‘It puts into context why the woman was on the ground,’ said Sgt Tom Mulcahy.

Ms McCarthy said her client and the woman were in a long-term relationship.

‘He wanted out at that time and wanted to get the keys from her so he could get his things. He denies pushing her to the ground,’ said Ms McCarthy.

The court heard that he is still in a relationship with his partner and was a registered carer for her, and in receipt of carer’s allowance.

‘If you want to extract yourself from a relationship there are other ways of doing it rather than roaring in the street and bringing your affairs on a public thoroughfare,’ said Judge Joanne Carroll.    

Judge Carroll convicted him and sentenced him to three months in prison which she suspended for two years.

‘Had the lady made a complaint the situation would be different and you would be going to jail,’ added the judge.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.