Man who abused staff at Cork city centre McDonald's jailed for five months

Calling Asian members of staff “f***ing yellow” at a fast food restaurant in Cork was described by a sentencing judge as “above and beyond abusing staff”, as he imposed a total sentence of five months on the culprit for that and for other offences.

Antonio Arundel, of 54 Shannon Lawn, Mayfield, pleaded guilty to engaging in threatening, abusive, or insulting words or behaviour at McDonald’s on Winthrop St, on the occasion.

Sergeant Gearóid Davis outlined the background to that and other offences.

“On August 2, after 10.30am, gardaí responded to a report of a man causing a disturbance on McDonald’s on Winthrop St and they observed a male who is now known to him as Antonio Arundel being verbally abusive to the members of staff who were Asian, shouting at them that they were all “f***ing yellow anyway” and that he paid for his “f***king food”.

“While gardaí were dealing with Mr Arundel, he also said he would ‘finish’ gardaí when he saw them next, and they should watch out. The accused had a very strong smell of intoxicating liquor on his breath, and his eyes were glossy.”

Arundel was also involved in shoplifting of alcohol at Centra on Oliver Plunkett St on October 23, and a similar offence at Spar on MacCurtain St on January 7.

Finally, on June 25, he was involved in threatening and abusive and drunken behaviour on Paul St, when a large number of families were present shopping in the area.

Defence solicitor Shane Collins Daly said the 37-year-old had longstanding alcohol difficulties, but accepted there was no excuse for his behaviour.

Imposing a total sentence of five months, Judge David Waters said of the McDonald’s incident: “This was above and beyond abusing staff, who were just trying to do their best, to earn a living in a job that does not pay very much.”