Monaghan man stumbled into wrong house looking for more drink

By Francis Carroll, The Drogheda Independent

A woman answered the front door thinking it was her husband only to have an unknown drunk man stumble past her, the district court has heard.

Gareth McGuigan (43), Lisnagore, Newbliss, Clones, Co. Monaghan, pleaded guilty to trespass and public order charges stemming from the incident in Dundalk.

It was stated on his behalf that he was in a relationship with someone living in the area and went to the wrong house, while Gardaí believed there was no malice intended.

Judge Gerry Jones fined him €500 for using or engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour or words. Trespass and public intoxication charges were taken into consideration.

Court presenter Sgt Richie Browne said that on August 10 last a woman answered the front doorbell of her home at Barons Way, Lismullen Grove, Dundalk, thinking it was her husband.

Instead, the defendant stumbled past and said he was “looking for more beer”.

Gardaí were called and saw him in the hallway of the house before he walked out.

Mr McGuigan became uncooperative and was arrested.

Sgt Browne added that he didn’t believe there was any “malice or intent” by the accused. He mistook the location due to the level of his drunkenness.

There are four previous convictions, one in this country for public intoxication and three in Scotland for “minor public order”.

“Are you happy he was not forcing his way into this house?” Judge Jones asked.

Solicitor Conor MacGuill remarked that the evidence was very fair. It must have been terrifying for the person answering the door.

His client was in a relationship with someone living in that area. He went to the wrong house and couldn’t be convinced otherwise such was his level of drunkenness.

Mr McGuigan, a father of one and on disability allowance, apologised for the shock the woman got from some walking in and not leaving.