Man who made 'despicable comment' to garda during Cork city disturbance jailed 

A drunken man got aggressive with gardaí in Cork city, and at the height of the disturbance he threatened the arresting garda that he would rape his mother.

George Arundel of no fixed address pleaded guilty to charges of being drunk and a danger, and engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour.

Judge David Waters said: “That comment certainly aggravates matters… It is an absolutely despicable comment and is an aggravating factor in this case.” 

The judge then imposed a two-month prison sentence on the 39-year-old.

Shane Collins-Daly solicitor said the accused had been coming before the courts since his teenage years.

“He has a severe alcohol addiction and a lot of mental health difficulties. He is in and out of custody all of his adult life. He has nowhere to stay. He fears for his safety and lives in a tent, most recently on the Lee Road.

“He does not recall making the comment but he must accept that he said it. When drinking he finds it difficult to get on with the gardaí – he doesn’t react well with them,” Mr Collins-Daly said.

Sergeant John Dineen described the incident that gave rise to the case: “On March 18 on Lynch’s Street, Cork city, gardaí observed George Arundel who became evasive. They observed he had glassy eyes, he was unsteady on his feet and had slurred speech. 

"George Arundel became aggressive towards (one garda) and told him to f*** off. The garda formed the opinion that George Arundel was a danger to himself and others and arrested him. After caution George Arundel said that he would rape (the guard’s) mother.” 

In terms of previous convictions for similar offences he had eight for threatening and insulting behaviour and 18 for being drunk and a danger.