Drunken man who threatened paramedic at Cork bus shelter sentenced

A paramedic was assisting a man who was in difficulties at a bus shelter in Cork, but he turned on her with the threat: “I’ll get you one way or the other.”

29-year-old Jonathan O’Driscoll, of 40 Spring Lane, Blackpool, Cork, was sentenced by Judge Catherine Ryan to a total of two months in prison for this threatening behaviour and a series of other offences to which he pleaded guilty.

Sergeant Gearóid Davis outlined the background to the incident which occurred on November 6, 2025, when gardaí received a call to attend Thomas Davis St, Cork, where an ambulance crew required assistance.

“On arrival, they met Jonathan O’Driscoll lying on the ground under a bus shelter. He was asleep and snoring loudly. Mr O’Driscoll was roused and assessed by paramedics. Following examination, they deemed no medical treatment was required. Mr O’Driscoll was unsteady on his feet, visibly intoxicated to such an extent as he was a danger to himself and other members of the public.

“Mr O’Driscoll’s demeanour was aggressive, especially towards a female paramedic. Mr O’Driscoll shouted ‘I’ll get you one way or another’ in a threatening manner.

“Mr O’Driscoll then repeatedly punched the bus shelter. There was no damage caused. [He] was arrested and conveyed to Gurranabraher Garda Station,” Sgt Dineen said.

He pleaded guilty to engaging in threatening behaviour and numerous counts of shoplifting.

They all occurred from September to December 2025. On September 19, he stole four bottles of wine at Maxol on Skehard Rd. On September 20, he was intoxicated and a danger at Lapp’s Quay. The following day, he stole three bottles of wine at Maxol on Skehard Rd, at 1pm. He returned to the same place at 3.30pm and stole four more bottles. On October 1, he stole €30 worth of groceries there.

On October 26, he took a €215 tracksuit from JD Sports on Patrick St. Two days later, he stole a €230 tracksuit from the same shop.

On November 1, he was shoplifting at Tesco on Paul St. One week later, he stole a six-pack of beer at Tesco Express on South Main St. On the same date, he stole a tracksuit valued €220 from JD Sports on Patrick St.

On November 22, he was shoplifting at Marks and Spencer. Finally, he was intoxicated and a danger on Patrick St on December 11.

Sgt Davis said that a total of €825 worth of stolen property had never been recovered.

Solicitor Frank Buttimer said that drink caused the accused to lose contact with his family. Judge Ryan noted that the man’s life seemed to have spiralled out of control recently, and hoped he would get help in prison with staying off alcohol.