Cork man fined for lying drunk in the street near school as parents collected children

A Cork man who was discovered lying drunk in the street between two parked cars close to a busy school has been convicted in the district court.

Sergeant Majella O’Sullivan told Youghal District Court that Patrick O’Toole, aged 31, and with an address at Raheen Park, Youghal, Co Cork, was found lying in the road between two parked cars on September 9, 2025, at 1.45pm.

The court was told O’Toole was highly intoxicated when approached by gardaí and “very unsteady” on his feet. 

The court heard the location where he was discovered was close to a school which was busy at the time with parents collecting their children. The court was told O’Toole had 85 previous convictions including eight for being intoxicated in public.

Defence barrister William Bulman said O’Toole, who lived in Youghal, had “long-standing alcohol issues”, and was currently unemployed. O’Toole said he had not drunk alcohol since he was arrested and aimed to seek treatment for his problem.

Judge John King convicted O’Toole of being intoxicated in a public place and fined him €250, allowing him six months to pay the fine.