Cleaning company owner who urinated in garda cell 'would have been in a good position to clean up his own mess', judge notes
A judge has noted that the owner of a cleaning company who urinated “all over” his garda station cell while drunk “would have been in a good position to clean up his own mess” and has recommended that he carry out community service.
Judge Patricia McNamara has ordered the man to pay €150 for criminal damage, along with a €100 donation to charity, after he urinated in the cell.
Dumitru Lupu (30), of Boherboy, Saggart, Co Dublin, pleaded guilty to criminal damage at Tallaght Garda Station. The court heard that he has no previous convictions apart from road traffic offences.
Garda Rebecca Durney told Tallaght District Court this afternoon that on 30th September 2022, officers responded to reports of a verbal argument at Lupu’s home.
When gardaí arrived at the scene, the accused was unsteady on his feet. Garda Durney told the court that Mr Lupu called her a “bitch” on several occasions.
Garda Ed Crowley told the court that after being arrested and brought to Tallaght Garda station, Mr Lupu was brought to a cell. He was highly aggressive and abusive as he was intoxicated and urinated all over the cell, which leaked into the corridor.
Garda Crowley stated that the clean-up cost €150. He added that when informed of what had just happened, the accused simply laughed.
Counsel for the accused, Lauren Flanagan BL, told the court that Mr Lupu is originally from Romania but has lived in Ireland for the past seven years. Counsel said that her client is the owner of a cleaning company which services construction sites. She added that he travels between work sites and Navan and is a father to a teenager.
Judge McNamara remarked that, given his occupation, Mr Lupu “would have been in a good position to go into the cell and clean up his own mess” – but noted that it was too late for that.
The judge told Mr Lupu that the Gardaí have a very difficult job.
Ms Flanagan stated that her client could not recall the incident due to intoxication but that he acknowledged that his behaviour was unacceptable and apologised.
Judge McNamara ordered Mr Lupu to pay €150 for criminal damage and €100 to Little Blue Heroes, a garda charity for children with disabilities.
Taking into account that Mr Lupu had no previous convictions of this nature, Judge McNamara agreed to have him assessed for community service, stating that “he can help clean up the community.”
The judge recommended that he complete 80 hours of community service in lieu of a sentence, pending a probation report of his suitability (for community service), which would be heard in Tallaght District Court on 12th May next.