Fined for shouting abuse at Carlow shop owner
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A 35-YEAR-OLD man who was abusive and threatening towards a business owner in Carlow town has been fined €200.
Aaron O’Sullivan, who resides at de Paul Hostel, Riverdale, Haymarket, Carlow, appeared before Carlow District Court charged with an offence contrary to section 6 of the Public Order Act.
The court heard that on 16 January 2026 at Potato Market, Carlow town, Garda Ryan spoke to a business owner about an altercation with an intoxicated male.
Mr O’Sullivan was abusive towards the business owner, threatening and shouting abuse towards him before he left the area, the court was told.
On a subsequent patrol at Fairgreen shopping centre on the same day, Garda Ryan came across Mr O’Sullivan, who appeared highly intoxicated and was unable to stand. He was arrested under section 4 of the act for his own safety and the safety of others and brought to Carlow Garda Station.
The court heard that Mr O’Sullivan has 38 previous convictions, eight of which are for public intoxication and two for threatening or abusive language or behaviour in public. His last conviction was from May 2024 for public intoxication, for which he received a €150 fine.
Solicitor Chris Hogan said that he was asked to apologise on behalf of his client to the court and the gardaí, adding that Mr O’Sullivan “has challenges with alcohol.” Mr Hogan detailed how his client had been “removed from the family home” due to his alcohol problem and has been living in sheltered accommodation. This incident has been “his wake-up call,” said Mr Hogan, explaining that his client had attended a 12-week programme in the Cuan Mhuire addiction treatment centre. Mr O’Sullivan now has employment and he is back in touch with his family, the court heard.
Judge Elizabeth Healy fined Mr O’Sullivan €200 for engaging in abusive behaviour, taking the intoxication offence into consideration.
