A man who spat at a bus driver when challenged over an incorrect fare was sentenced to six months' imprisonment yesterday at Tallaght District Court.
Michael Hogan (23), Castletymon Court, Tallaght, pleaded guilty to assaulting Mr John Nolan at the Level 3 car-park in The Square on July 31st last.
Sgt Bernard Jones told the court that at 11.15 p.m. on that date, Hogan was on a bus in the car-park with another man.
He said: "The bus driver challenged the men over not having the correct fare. The defendant became abusive and spat at the driver. The saliva hit him on his left hand and his sleeve."
The court heard that Hogan had 18 previous convictions, including four months on March 5th last for larceny.
Hogan had also been sentenced to 12 months for criminal damage on December 12th, 2001.
Ms Grainne Malone, defending, said that she did not want to excuse her client's behaviour but he did recall the incident and words had been exchanged between him and the driver.
She added that Hogan had a problem with drugs but had stabilised well on methadone.
Judge James McDonnell said: "Apart from the distasteful aspect \ can create terror in the injured party who may then become worried about the health aspects." He sentenced Hogan to six months' imprisonment and backdated it to January 9th last.