Clare homeless man who hasn't washed in six months fails to secure bail

A 59-year old homeless man has told a judge that he hasn't washed in six months when making an unsuccessful appeal for bail.

At Kilrush District Court this Tuesday, Denis Higgins was appearing concerning two public order charges that are alleged to have occurred at Wood Quay, Ennis town centre on Monday, November 18.

In giving evidence of arrest, charge and caution, Garda Eanna Fallon said that Mr Higgins said “I am sorry Garda”.

Garda Fallon said that Mr Higgins of Laurel Lodge, Clare Rd, Ennis was highly intoxicated and highly aggressive when arrested by Gardai at 12.15pm on Monday at Wood Quay, Ennis.

Gardai were opposing bail for Mr Higgins after Sgt John Burke told the court that Gardai have no faith in Mr Higgins’s ability to turn up to any adjourned court date.

Solicitor for Mr Higgins, Daragh Hassett told the court that unless Mr Higgins cuts back or stops drinking alcohol, "he won't see Christmas and I have told him that.”

Mr Hassett said: “He is not well.”

Read Also: Clare man admits ‘speeding’ and ‘showing off’ prior to road crash that killed groom

Mr Higgins has been living in a homeless hostel, Laurel Lodge on Ennis’s Clare Rd and Mr Hassett said that Mr Higgins must leave the hostel at 9am each day and not return until 9pm.

Mr Hassett told Judge Gabbett that Mr Higgins has asked him to ask the judge to direct Laurel Lodge to allow him stay there longer than what is currently allowed.

Mr Higgins said: “I haven’t washed in six months. For three days I have been standing out in that rain. If they took me back and tried to look after a small bit - just for a couple of weeks and then I would be alright.”

He said: “I was sitting down in the wet all day long. I had to drink, I just couldn't handle it."

Judge Gabbett told Mr Higgins that he was not well enough to abide by any bail conditions and remanded him in custody to Limerick prison to appear before Ennis District Court on Wednesday where all matters that Mr Higgins is facing will be disposed of.

Read more Crime & Courts stories on Clare Live