A DONEGAL man who has a ‘shocking record’ arrived at the home of his former partner and became ‘preoccupied’ with other people who were in the house.
Judge Paul Kelly warned Leo Marley that he is fast running out of options in how to deal with his offending.
Marley (29), with an address at Ard O’Donnell, Letterkenny, was before Letterkenny District Court on charges relating to three separate incidents.
The court heard that on April 1, 2020, Marley requested the Gardai’s assistance to attend the home of his ex-partner as he wanted to collect property.
Sergeant Jim Collins said that Marley asked Gardaí to ‘kick out’ persons who were in the house in Raphoe.
Marley, the Court heard, became agitated and abusive and he failed to leave. Marley was directed to leave, but failed to do so.
In the course of subsequently being arrested, Marley had to be subdued by Gardaí. He later attended Raphoe Garda Station to apologise for his behaviour.
At 6.50pm on March 23, 2020, Gardai received a report that a man was on foot ‘weaving in and out of oncoming vehicles’ at Kilmacrennan Road, Letterkenny. When Gardaí arrived, Marley was standing in front of a vehicle, traffic was at a standstill.
A further incident on a back road between Castlederg and Ballybofey saw a vehicle being driven by Marley rear-end another vehicle. The driver of the other vehicle pulled in, but Marley drove off. Gardaí established that Marley was driving the car in question.
Sergeant Collins said that there was ‘an issue’ with Marley at the start of the last lockdown.
“He had legitimate concerns as to the people who may have been frequenting the house in his absence,” Sergeant Colins said. “His concerns were genuine. That led to his interaction with the Gardaí.”
Solicitor Mr Patsy Gallagher said that Marley had a number of issues with his health and addictions. Marley, he said, was accepted into a six-month residential programme to aid his addictions.
“Hopefully that will give him a roadmap into the future,” Mr Gallagher said.
Judge Kelly handed down a two-month sentence, suspending it for 12 months on Marley’s own bond of €150. The defendant was warned that another type of residential would be considered should his behaviour not improve.