Donegal rally fan ordered to make charity donation after falling asleep in street for a third year

Stephen Maguire

An 'exhausted' young man who fell asleep in the street at the Donegal International Rally for the third successive year has been ordered to pay €275 to charity.

Dosing Charlie O'Neill appeared at Letterkenny District Court following his latest slumber.

Garda Sergeant Jim Collins told the court that the 20-year-old was found drunk and asleep at Market Square in Letterkenny at 4:40pm on June 22nd last.

Sergeant Collins said it took gardaí 15 minutes to waken exhausted O'Neill and bring him to Letterkenny Garda Station.

He was later charged with being in a public place while intoxicated to such an extent as would give rise to a reasonable apprehension that you might endanger yourself or any other person in your vicinity.

The charge was Contrary to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994 as amended by Section 22 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008.

His solicitor, Mr Patsy Gallagher, remarked to the court that he didn't realise it was now an offence to fall asleep in public.

However, Sergeant Collins outlined to the court that this was the third successive year and in the same place that O'Neill, of Clark's Court, Magherfelt, Derry, had been found in the same circumstances.

He added that it must be a case where the pillows at the Market Square are too soft.

Mr Gallagher added that he appreciated this was "strike number three" and said he was in the court's hands.

Judge Eiteain Cunningham ordered O'Neill to make a donation of €275 to the Donegal Hospice adding that it would be an "expensive overnight" for the accused.

Sergeant Collins replied it was probably the cheapest hotel in Letterkenny for the weekend of the rally.

Legal aid was granted to Mr Gallagher.

The accused man was amongst 90 people arrested at the weekend event for a variety of offences including public order as well as drink and drug driving.

A total of 45 cars were also seized by gardaí.