Judge seeks probation report on man who verbally abused garda in Cork

A 57-year-old man called a garda a “f***ing prick” and told him he was not moving from the scene of a disturbance in Cork city centre at 11 in the morning.

Sergeant John Kelleher said the incident occurred on November 20, 2024, and now at Cork District Court the accused man, Michael Bentley of no fixed address, has pleaded guilty to the threatening and abusive behaviour and being so drunk that he was a danger to himself or others.

Garda Eric Stafford encountered Mr Bentley in a drunken state at Patrick Street, Cork, and told him to leave the area.

That was when he became verbally abusive to the garda in the presence of adults and children who were in the area at the time.

The same man had seven previous convictions for being threatening and abusive and 17 for being so drunk that he was a danger to himself or others.

Judge Mary Dorgan asked for a probation report on the accused in advance of penalty.