A 49-YEAR-old man who soiled both a garda cell and a garda patrol car with urine and vomit in the space of two days has been sentenced to three months in prison for the offences.

Marius Karanauskas of 95 Upper Bridge Street, Skibbereen appeared at Bandon District Court where he pleaded guilty to two charges of criminal damage and one charge of being drunk in a public place.

Gda Eoin McCarthy told Judge Joanne Carroll that on April 14th last while in custody at Clonakilty Garda Station on another matter, Mr Karanauskas soiled the cell with urine and vomit.

He said the following day the defendant was arrested in Skibbereen for being drunk in a public place.

‘While he was being conveyed to the garda station he also soiled the patrol van with his urine and vomit,’ said Gda McCarthy.

The court heard that the cost of deep cleaning the custody cell amounted to €250 while the cleaning of the patrol van cost €150.

Sgt Tom Mulcahy said the accused had been out on bail on separate charges and one of the conditions was that he remain intoxicant free.

The court heard he has 12 previous convictions including drink driving, having no insurance and the possession of knives.

Defence solicitor Éamonn Fleming said: ‘He has a serious drink problem and had work in a car breaker’s yard. Drink is his poison,’ said Mr Fleming.

Mr Fleming said his client pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and that the damage to both the cell and patrol van were involuntary.

Judge Joanne Carroll sentenced him to four months in prison for criminal damage suspending the last month for 12 months.

She fined him €300 for being drunk in public.