Mayo man with chronic alcohol problem given 12 months to address his addiction

A 45-year-old man who was said to have a chronic alcohol problem was told by a District Court judge that the only person who could solve his problem was himself.

Thomas Lawrence, 25 Fr. Meehan Place, Castlebar, pleaded guilty to three charges under the Public Order Act on two different occasions, one relating to engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour.

The court was told he had 10 previous convictions, all under the Public Order Act.

Outlining the facts, Inspector Shane Fitzmaurice told the court that the defendant was arrested after he was found asleep in SuperValu car park in Castlebar on the night of August 15, 2025.

The defendant was very intoxicated on the night in question and had to be arrested for his own safety.

The first incident occurred on August 13, 2025, when the defendant was found at SuperValu car park in Castlebar in a very drunken state.

On this occasion the defendant was found with a cut to his head.

Gardaí attempted to help him but he refused all help and became very abusive and aggressive towards the gardaí and other members of the public who were passing by during the incident.

He refused to calm down and continued to be abusive and aggressive for some time, leaving the gardaí with no option but to arrest him.

Mr. Gary Mulchrone, solicitor for the defendant, said his client was currently serving a prison sentence in relation to another matter but the source of his problems are with his ‘escalating’ alcohol addiction, which he has failed to address.

He said his client was extremely drunk which led to the problems on the second incident at the SuperValu car park as he had drunk a bottle of vodka.

Mr. Mulchrone said his client was a father with five children but he was no longer in the family home but he was still keeping in touch.

He said his client was not aware of his drunken state on both occasion and was currently serving a prison sentence in relation to an incident which occurred in Athlone and he is due for release on March 7.

The defendant told Judge Deirdre Gearty he would like to be able to attend a family First Holy Communion which is coming up.

Judge Gearty told the defendant there was only one person that could help him overcome his alcohol addiction and that was himself.

Said Judge Gearty: “You need to engage in rehabilitation. You need to consult your doctor as this can’t continue.

“There is only one person that can help you to sort out your alcohol addiction and that is you.”

Judge Gearty imposed a one-month term of imprisonment, which she suspended for 12 months, warning the defendant: "You have 12 months to keep your nose clean."

* Published under the Courts Reporting Scheme.