'A terrible thing to call someone': Man who called gardaí 'paedophiles' fined

‘Paedophile’ is one of the most terrible insults one could shout at someone in today’s society, a District Judge said in the case against a man who claimed that his abusive behaviour was entirely verbal.

Judge John King said that while the abuse of gardaí by 35-year-old Conor Greaney was verbal it was of the worst kind.

Defence solicitor Michael Quinlan said at Cork District Court said that on the night in question the defendant was frustrated more than anything as his car was being seized by gardaí. Mr Greaney of 30 Fairfield Meadows, Upper Fairhill, Cork, apologised soon afterwards.

“It was verbal only. There were no threats of violence in any shape or form,” Mr Quinlan said on the defendant’s behalf.

Judge King said: “When you call someone a paedophile it is one of the worst insults in today’s society – it is a terrible thing to call someone.” 

The judge convicted Conor Greaney on the charge of engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour and imposed a €600 fine or ten days in prison in default of payment.

Inspector Brendan McKenna said at Cork District Court today that the incident occurred after midnight on January 10 when gardaí stopped his car which was being driven erratically at Upper Fairhill.

The driver and a number of passengers got out of the car when gardaí were dealing with the situation. 

When Mr Greaney was told that for reasons including the absence of up to date tax on the vehicle, it was being seized, he became aggressive and shouted, “paedophiles”, at gardaí.

He continued to act aggressively until he was arrested, Insp McKenna said.