Let's Get Married

Wedding day saves drunk who gave two finger salute to patrol car

by Martina Nee

A Ballinasloe man, who has spent up to 31 years of his life in jail, was saved from further imprisonment by his wedding day despite giving the two finger salute to a Garda patrol car.

Paul Greene (43) with an address at 24 New Estate Street, St Grellans, Ballinasloe, appeared at a special sitting of Athlone District Court last Monday and pleaded guilty to a charge of threatening and abusive behaviour and for being intoxicated in a public place.

A request for an adjournment, on the grounds that a complaint has been made to the Garda Ombudsman, was denied.

Garda Tom Higgins then told the court that on September 23, 2007 at 12.45pm he was driving an unmarked car with two other gardai, in the Irishtown area, when the defendant jumped out from the footpath in front of the car.

He said that Greene “started shouting” and that he put his “two fingers up in the air”. After the “two finger gesture” Garda Higgins had to stop the car and the defendant eventually moved back onto the footpath. However, when Garda Higgins was pulling the car in to the side of the road the defendant jumped in front of another car and gave the occupants the two fingers. He added that the defendant was “extremely drunk”, shouting and generally abusive, and was “not making any sense”.

Inspector Jarlaith Folan informed the Judge that the defendant has previous convictions for criminal damage, for which he received five months in January 2007, public order offences, and a three year conviction for robbery in May 2002.

Garda Higgins explained that when Greene takes drink he “loses the run of himself”. He said that on the day he was aggressive to gardai and members of the public.

“The real troubling part is that the defendant has a record second to none maybe. He hasn’t learnt his lesson and he needs to in a harsh way. To jump out in front of moving traffic and give them the salute. When I hear that the defendant had a number of encounters with the criminal justice system that worries me,” said Judge Gibbons.

Greene, who is originally from Athlone, told the judge that he has spent 31 years in prison and is planning to get married in two weeks.

“Thirty-one years in prison would be a deterrent to some, it would not deter you. You can be drunk at home but when in a public place it could be dangerous to yourself and others,” replied the judge.

The defendant, who is working on a building site, said that he took the pledge two weeks ago and that this was the first time he has done this.

Judge Gibbons said that he would give Greene a chance and put the case back to see how he behaves between now and then, especially on his wedding day.

“You’ll enjoy the day far better if you are sober, you’ll remember getting married,” said the Judge.

He remanded the defendant on continuing bail until February 18 with conditions that he remain alcohol free at all times.