Gardaí found incoherent man 'staggering in front of traffic' on main road in Cork

An intoxicated man who was “staggering in front of traffic” and unable to speak pleaded guilty to public intoxication and possession of drugs.

Garda court presenter Sergeant Tom Mulcahy told Clonakilty District Court that Garda Joe Grimes responded to a call about an incident on the causeway at Rosscarbery, Co Cork, at 7pm on February 20, 2026.

He found Christopher McCarthy, aged 40, of 27 Bridge Street, Skibbereen, Co Cork, staggering on the main N71 road in front of oncoming traffic. 

The court heard that McCarthy was clearly intoxicated, very unsteady on his feet, and unable to form coherent sentences when Garda Grimes spoke to him.

McCarthy was arrested for being intoxicated in public, contrary to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994, at 7.15pm — for his own safety and the safety of others. 

When McCarthy was searched an amount of green herb was found in a tobacco pouch, later confirmed to be cannabis, valued at €106.20.

The court was told that McCarthy made admissions that the drugs were his and for his own personal use. 

The court heard that McCarthy had 30 previous convictions, 25 since he became an adult, including 10 convictions for public intoxication but none for drugs offences. His last conviction related to a careless driving offence in 2022.

McCarthy said most of his convictions were for incidents many years ago and he now worked as a scaffolder and rarely drank alcohol. 

He told Judge Joanne Carroll that he was out celebrating a friend’s birthday and had too much to drink. He also admitted buying the cannabis earlier that day but denied he had a drug addiction problem.

Judge Carroll remanded McCarthy on continuing bail to April 4, 2026, by which time he was expected to make a €300 contribution to the court poor box. 

The judge warned McCarthy that if he did not make the contribution he would be convicted of both offences and fined €600.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.