A man who told gardai that he would ‘batter the heads off’ them has appeared in court.
Fanica Rostas has been given a chance to avoid a conviction in respect of the incident while he was also spared a driving ban when he appeared at Letterkenny District Court.
The 29-year-old Rostas, of Main Street, Convoy, was charged with separate incidents and pleaded guilty to each.
On December 5, 2023, gardai were on mobile patrol at Pearse Road in Letterkenny when they went to speak with Rostas in a car park. As they approached, Rostas became ‘quite irate’, Sergeant Maurice Doyle told the court.
Rostas subsequently threatened to ‘batter the heads off them’ if they didn’t leave him alone, Sergeant Doyle said. Rostas calmed down and was said to be ‘most compliant’ when brought to Letterkenny Garda Station.
On October 23, 2022, at Milltown, Convoy, Gardai observed a silver Audi A3. Garda McLaughlin spoke to the driver, Rostas, who admitted to having no insurance. A fixed charge penalty notice was issued in respect of no tax being displayed and was not paid.
Mr Patsy Gallagher, solicitor representing Rostas, said the public order matter occurred during ‘a very difficult time’ for his client. “It shouldn’t have happened,” Mr Gallagher said. “Once he came out of the scene he was in, he spoke in a civilised tone.”
Mr Gallagher said Rostas is originally from Romania and has been in Donegal for 15 years now.
He asked for the court to show discretion in terms of the no insurance charge. “The car is essential to him,” Mr Gallagher said.
Noting that he had been complaint and has no previous convictions, Judge Ciaran Liddy said Rostas could avoid a conviction for the public order charge if he pays €200 to Little Blue Heroes.
For having no insurance, Rostas was fined €100 and was not disqualified by Judge Liddy.