By Ronan Judge

A man smeared faeces on the walls of a Garda station cell after he was arrested for aggressive behaviour on a bus in Galway City, a court has heard.

Gardai had to deploy pepper spray after responding to a report of an intoxicated man being abusive and swinging his arms on a Citylink bus at Merlin Park, on November 2, 2024, Galway District Court heard.

Inspector Brian Ryan told the court that Aaron Kendryna (33) was arrested and brought to Garda North Western Regional Headquarters where he spread faeces across the walls of a cell.

The court was told it cost around €600 to “properly fumigate” the cell after the incident.

Kendryna, with addresses 61 Camillaun Park, Newcastle, and 112 Inishannagh Park, Newcastle, pleaded guilty to criminal damage and a public order intoxication offence.

He also pleaded guilty to intoxication and breach of the peace related public order offences at University Hospital Galway on January 18, 2024.

Insp Ryan told the court Gardaí responded to a report of a man being abusive to staff at the hospital’s Emergency Department at around 10.16pm.

Kendryna had been admitted earlier that day, was intoxicated and deemed fit for release.

Insp Ryan said Kendryna told Gardaí he wanted to fight them and attempted to spit at them while in close proximity to staff and patients.

The court heard Kendryna also said he was “going to kill all the Gardaí’s mothers.

Aaron Kendryna has 12 previous convictions including for public order and criminal damage.

Defence barrister, Garry McDonald BL, told the court all his client’s offending arose from “drunken messy stuff”‘.

His client had a history of drink and drug addiction that developed after he witnessed a fatal stabbing in an English prison. The court heard he had been prescribed benzodiazepines to which he became addicted.

Mr McDonald said Kendryna recently completed a 20 week programme in the Cuan Mhuire residential treatment centre and was drug free.

Counsel said it was accepted that the incident of the criminal damage to the Garda cell was “disgraceful to say the least” and his client was willing to pay compensation.

Mr McDonald asked the court not to interfere with the progress his client was making and adjourn the case for a brief period.

Judge Adrian Harris remanded the accused on bail to January 6, 2026 and directed he make a contribution to the Little Blue Heroes charity.

Pictured: The court was told it cost around €600 to clean up the cell at the Garda North Western Regional Headquarters after the incident.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.