Courts / Dublin / Report
77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'
Summary
A 77-year-old man with 470 previous convictions has been sentenced to two months in jail for threatening and abusive behaviour towards Luas staff. Paddy McCann, who was released on bail but failed to appear in court, was arrested for being intoxicated in a public place and failing to appear in court while on bail. He pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to two months in prison, to run concurrently with his existing three-month sentence for theft and public-order offences. His solicitor, Andrew Vallely, argued that McCann suffers from various medical issues and was more cogent when sober. Judge Anne Watkin noted that McCann had initially pleaded not guilty before changing his plea, which did not help his case. She sentenced him to two months in prison, taking into account his medical conditions and the fact that he was already serving another sentence.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'. Charges or matters: engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour at Central Park Luas stop in Leopardstown, Dublin 18, on June 29; threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour contrary to Section 6 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994, being intoxicated in a public place under Section 4 of the Act, and failing to appear in court while on bail under Section 13 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- June 29 Hearing Or Sentence
- July 14 Hearing Or Sentence
- July 17 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2026-07-31 Publication
Why: He was arrested because of concerns for his safety and the safety of others. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour at Central Park Luas stop in Leopardstown, Dublin 18, on June 29; threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour contrary to Section 6 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994, being intoxicated in a public place under Section 4 of the Act, and failing to appear in court while on bail under Section 13 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: The court heard that McCann is also currently serving a three-month sentence for theft and public-order offences. Judge Watkin sentenced him to two months in prison, to run concurrently with the three-month sentence he was already serving.
Places mentioned
- Dún Laoghaire District Court
- Central Park
- Lower George's Street
Topics
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