Mallow man told gardaí he was going to ’cause wreck around Cork city’

A man who was arrested at the height of a public order incident at Lapps Quay in Cork warned gardaí: ‘I’m going to cause wreck around Cork city”.

This was the verbal threat made by Connie Foley, aged 44, of Ceol Na nEan, Mallow, Co Cork, during the incident.

Sergeant Gearóid Davis described the background to the incident at Cork District Court.

“It occurred at Lapps Quay, Cork, in June 2024. Following a report of anti-social behaviour, gardaí attended Lapps Quay where they met the accused. He was highly intoxicated and called the garda a ‘fucking scumbag’ while members of the public were present,” Sgt. Davis said.

Mr Foley then went on to make the threat about “doing wreck”.

He pleaded guilty to engaging in threatening behaviour and being drunk and a source of danger to himself or others.

He also admitted that, on May 3 this year, he stole €143 worth of clothing from JD Sports, St Patrick’s St, Cork.

Sgt Davis said the accused had 144 previous convictions including 37 for being drunk and a danger, 12 for being threatening and abusive, eight for robbery, one for aggravated burglary, four for burglary and 17 for theft.

Shane Collins-Daly solicitor said: “He accepts he has a very poor record of offending. He has longstanding alcohol and drugs problems. He moved to Mallow to remove himself from the situation he was in in Cork city.

“His mental health problems deteriorated and it led to him being quite unwell. He is suffering from acute paranoia, according to his own instructions. He has a complex psychiatric history. He apologises for committing these offences.”

Judge Mary Dorgan imposed a total sentence of five months on the defendant.