Man fined for St. Patrick's Day public order offence in Mayo told to 'cop on'

A CASTLEBAR man has been fined €450 after appearing before Judge Vincent Deane at Castlebar District Court in connection with a public order incident on St. Patrick's Day.

John Maughan, Moneen Campsite, Moneen, Castlebar, was charged under Section 6 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act following an incident on Pavilion Road, Castlebar, on March 17, 2026.

Court presenter Sergeant Conor McShane told the court that gardaí received a report of a male lying on the ground on Pavilion Road.

When Garda Perret attended the scene and approached Maughan, he began stripping off his clothes, closing his hands into fists, growling and acting in a threatening manner.

Maughan had seven previous convictions, including three public order offences.

Solicitor Gary Mulchrone told the court his client was 50 years of age and was the father of eight children.

He said St. Patrick's Day had been a special occasion and Maughan had over-indulged.

He entered an early guilty plea, and his counsel noted that the current offence fell almost 11 years to the day after a previous Section 6 matter from March 2015.

Maughan apologised to the court and his solicitor said he did not expect him to appear before the court again.

Judge Deane remarked it was time Maughan "copped on" and imposed a fine of €450, to be paid within six months.

A section 4 charge was taken into consideration.

* Published under the Courts Reporting Scheme.