A CLONAKILTY man with 83 previous convictions including 48 for being drunk in a public place has been convicted and fined €50 for being drunk in a public place.

Richard Williamson (47) of Moses Road, Clonakilty pleaded guilty at Clonakilty District Court to being drunk in a pubic place on February 12th last.

Sgt Tom Mulcahy told Judge Joanne Carroll that at 11.45pm the defendant was asked to leave a relative’s house at Convent Way after drinking there.

‘He was highly drunk and barely able to stand up outside and Gda Joe Grimes arrested him. He was conveyed to Clonakilty Garda Station where he was charged with being drunk in a public place,’ said Sgt Mulcahy.

The court heard that Mr Williamson has 83 previous convictions with 48 of those for being drunk in a public place and last appeared in court on June 17th last where he received a probation order for nine months for a drunk in a public place charge.

Judge Carroll enquired if the defendant is addressing his drink issue but his solicitor Éamonn Fleming said his client has a limited capacity to deal with his problems.

‘He doesn’t work and has had a difficult childhood and lives with his carer and suffer from voices in his head and is taking medication,’ said Mr Fleming.

Judge Carroll convicted and fined him €50 giving him two months to pay the fine.