Man in court for allegedly throwing cup of coffee at Mayo garda

A Ballinrobe man who allegedly threw a cup of coffee at a garda and fled across a field after his van was stopped for road traffic offences has had his case sent forward to the Circuit Court.

Colm O'Malley (28), Cregduff, Ballinrobe, appeared before Castlebar District Court charged with obstruction, resisting arrest, and threatening and abusive behaviour following an incident on the Kilmaine Road in Ballinrobe on August 19 last.

Sergeant John O'Reilly, presenting for the State, outlined the allegations for jurisdictional purposes.

The court heard that members of the roads policing unit stopped a white Volkswagen Caddy van at around 10 a.m. after the driver was observed using a mobile phone and not wearing a seatbelt. The driver was identified as Colm O'Malley.

When gardaí discovered the van's tax had expired for two months and moved to seize the vehicle, the defendant is alleged to have thrown a disposable cup of hot coffee into the garda's face before fleeing the scene.

Judge Vincent Deane refused jurisdiction and adjourned the matter until June 17 for service of the book of evidence.

* Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.