Prison sentence for Limerick man who ‘roared abuse’ at Clare gardaí

A Limerick man has received a prison sentence after he “roared abuse” at gardaí during in an incident in County Clare.

Ryan Keogh, aged 26, of Castleview Terrace, Castleview Avenue, Clancy’s Strand, Limerick city, appeared before Ennis District Court charged with two public order offences under Section 4 and Section 6 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994.

The incident in question took place on Main Street in Lahinch, County Clare on May 10, 2025.

Garda Sergeant John Burke told the court that when gardaí responded to reports of a “disruptive individual”, Mr Keogh started “roaring abuse” at them.

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The accused has five previous convictions for similar public order offences and he is currently serving a six month prison sentence for an unrelated road traffic matter.

Solicitor Darragh Hassett, representing the accused, told the court that his client has previously worked as a landscape gardener.

However, drink and drugs have “taken over his life” in recent years. Nevertheless, Mr Hassett said his client is “doing well” in prison.

When Judge Alec Gabbett asked what Mr Keogh’s drug of choice was, “drink and tablets” was the response.

Judge Gabbett said that he had a particular issue with gardaí being abused whilst trying to do their job.

After formally convicting Mr Keogh of the Section 6 charge, he sentenced the accused to two months in prison, to run concurrently to the sentence he is currently serving.

The Section 4 charge was marked as taken into consideration.