An IT consultant who was arrested at a gig in Fairview Park has been ordered to pay 200 to the Red Cross.
Christopher McMahon (31) of Rutland Court, Dublin 1 was arrested backstage at an Air concert on the 17th of June last after he went into a restricted area after the gig was over in order to greet the sound engineer who he said he knew.
When security at the gig called for Garda assistance, McMahon was observed “swinging” his arms in a motion which suggested he would strike the security guards on the scene.
The arresting Garda gave evidence that the accused appeared to be “intoxicated” and had a “purple substance around his lips” and his “pupils were dilated”, the court heard.
McMahon maintained his innocence saying that he had not behaved in an aggressive manner, and that the security at the venue had been rough with him and that he was “thrown to the ground multiple times”.
He said that his movements were “restricted” by more than three security guards and that there had been no signs to indicate that he had entered into a restricted area.
He denied having made swinging motions with his arms, saying he had consumed “a few glasses of wine” on the evening in question.
The defendant argued that the concert had ended at 10pm and there was no reason for him to try and get backstage when it was already about 10:30 at the time of the incident.
The court heard that McMahon has no previous convictions, however Judge Michele Finan marked the facts proven and convicted him of an offence contrary to Section 4 of the Public Order Act.
McMahon was asked to choose his favourite charity to give a donation to before offering to pay €100, to which the court informed him that “homeless” people give €100″.
After consulting with his counsel, McMahon agreed to pay €200.
“You can’t go backstage unless you’re a rock star.”