A motorist who took on the role of a garda when he pulled over to reprimand a man urinating by the roadside “should have minded his own business”.
That is according to Judge Patrick Durcan who told Ennis District Court “people have to urinate”.
Paul Tarrant (40) of Moy, Lahinch was driving towards Miltown Malbay at about 7pm on May 21st last when he spotted Gerald Moloney (36) of Renagisha, Kilmaley urinating at the back of a parked taxi on the side of the road at a T -junction.
An inebriated Mr Moloney gave Mr Tarrant’s car a wave but according to Insp Tom Kennedy, Mr Tarrant took exception to Mr Moloney urinating and “not concealing himself in public and Mr Tarrant thought this was very bad behaviour”.
He said: “Mr Tarrant was upset by this.”
Insp Kennedy said Mr Tarrant drove on before turning his car around and drove back towards Mr Moloney’s taxi to reproach him for his behaviour “and things went downhill from there”.
According to Insp Kennedy, in reply to being reprimanded for his behaviour, Mr Moloney started to verbally abuse Mr Tarrant, who was not in court for the case.
“Mr Tarrant felt threatened by him,½ Insp Kennedy said. “He did notice that the man was intoxicated and he could see him staggering. Mr Moloney pushed Mr Tarrant in a threatening way as he took exception to him being checked on his behaviour.”
The confrontation between the two resulted in Mr Tarrant making a complaint to gardaí.
Mr Moloney pleaded guilty to a public order breach of the peace offence.
In reply Judge Durcan said: “So Mr Tarrant takes on the role of the Garda Siochána in all of this?
“People have to urinate. People can be waylaid travelling in taxis. Taxis have to stop to allow people to urinate. Am I right in what I am saying?”
Addressing Insp Kennedy, Judge Durcan said: “This incident wouldn’t have happened if Mr Tarrant had driven on?”
In reply, Insp Kennedy said: “One would have to say ‘yes’.”
Judge Durcan said: “I am striking this case out. I think people like Mr Tarrant - is that his name? - he should have minded his own business.”
