A man with 135 convictions who directed a barrage of abuse at gardaí after a drunken argument with his brother was jailed for four months.

Michael Maughan (34), of John L O’Sullivan Terrace, Cahermore, Rosscarbery, admitted three public order offences.

Clonakilty District Court heard that, on the night of October 13th at around 10.30pm, Mr Maughan had been drinking at home with his brother, when an argument turned heated.

Gardaí found Mr Maughan shouting loudly as they entered the house. The defendant was said to have pushed past one garda at the scene and told him to f*** off.

Sgt Tom Mulcahy said: ‘He stood face-to-face with gardaí and roared aggressively. He then pushed one of the gardaí on the chest.

Mr Maughan resisted arrest and was handcuffed before being taken to Clonakilty Garda Station. On the way to the station, he continued to shout abuse. Sgt Mulcahy said Mr Maughan headbutted the custody hatch while in custody.

The court heard that Mr Maughan had 135 previous convictions, the majority in Northern Ireland, with around 50 committed in the Republic of Ireland.

Solicitor Flor Murphy said: ‘He wishes to apologise for his behaviour that night and for his behaviour towards Gardaí.’

Judge John King sentenced Mr Maughan to four months in prison for obstruction, taking the public order offences into consideration.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.