Courts / Dublin / Report
Man who was pepper sprayed at Longitude after abusing Garda tells court cannabis 'isn't a drug'
Summary
Paul Davis, 38, of Finglas, Dublin 11, appeared at Tallaght District Court where he pleaded guilty to criminal damage at Rathfarnham Garda Station and to threatening, abusive behaviour and intoxication in a public place at Marlay Park on 29 June 2024. The court heard that Davis was highly intoxicated at the Longitude festival, where he aggressively confronted Gardaí and security staff. After being pepper sprayed and arrested, he allegedly urinated on a cell door while in custody. Davis has 54 previous convictions. Although he initially reported being drug-free, he later admitted to the Probation Service that he still smokes cannabis daily, rendering him unsuitable for community service. In court, Davis claimed cannabis "isn't a drug," a statement Judge Patricia McNamara rejected, noting the chemical nature of the substance. Judge McNamara convicted Davis and imposed a three-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months. She also fined him €200, payable within four months. Davis paid €105 in court to cover the cost of cleaning the cell. The judge ordered that Davis must remain of sober habits and abstain from all illicit or non-prescribed drugs during the suspended period.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man who was pepper sprayed at Longitude after abusing Garda tells court cannabis 'isn't a drug'. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- 29 June 2024 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2025-07-21 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: However, he later admitted to the Probation Service that he still smokes cannabis daily and was found unsuitable for community service. Judge McNamara convicted Davis and imposed a three-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, while she also fined him €200, with four months to pay.
Places mentioned
- Deanstown Road
- Dublin
- Tallaght
- Tallaght District Court
- criminal damage at Rathfarnham Garda Station
- Rathfarnham
- being brought to Rathfarnham Garda Station
- Marlay Park
Topics
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