By Ronan Judge

A 34-year-old man arrested after causing a disturbance in a bookmakers, urinated intentionally in a Garda custody cell, a court has heard.

At Galway District Court, Judge Fiona Lydon told Thomas Sweeney it was time he conducted himself properly with Gardaí and other members of the public, as she imposed a three month prison sentence.

Sweeney, with an address at 186 Castlepark, Ballybane, pleaded guilty that on July 9, at the Garda North Western Regional Headquarters, Renmore, he committed criminal damage by urinating intentionally on a cell door and wall.

He also admitted to failing to comply with the direction of a Garda at Briarhill Shopping Centre on July 9, contrary to section 8 of the Public Order Act.

Sergeant Claire Heneghan told the court Sweeney got into an argument with a staff member at Bar One Racing over money he put into a machine.

The court heard the money was returned to Sweeney but he continued to be disruptive and Gardaí were called.

Sgt Heneghan said Gardaí issued a number of directions to leave the area but Sweeney made no effort and attempted to re-enter the bookmakers.

He was arrested and brought to the Garda North Western Regional Headquarters where, after being brought to a custody cell, he proceeded to urinate on the cell door, the court heard.

The court was told that Thomas Sweeney had 47 previous convictions including eight for breach of the peace public order offences.

Defence solicitor Catherine Tolan said she had been asked to offer her client’s apologies to the staff of Bar One and Gardaí.

Ms Tolan said her client instructed her to enter a guilty plea and was seeking time to pay for the damage to the cell.

Judge Fiona Lydon noted the case was first before the court in July and the court was not allowing any more time for compensation.

She said all sentencing options had been considered and, noting the manner in which the accused conducted himself on the day and his previous convictions, the court was imposing a three-month prison term for the criminal damage offence.

Judge Lydon refused Ms Tolan’s application to suspend the sentence, saying the accused had previously been subject to multiple other forms of sentencing.

“It is time Mr Sweeney conducted himself in an appropriate manner when dealing with the public and in particular the gardai”, she added.

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Pictured: The Garda North Western Regional Headquarters: defendant urinated in custody cell.