Man breached his bail terms by being drunk

The court was told that Michael McLaughlin (54), with an address on the court papers as Fountain Hill, had been granted bail at a previous court sitting charged with breaching a restraining order on September 13 last.

The court was told that he had been reported to police by a probation officer, on the grounds that he was drunk and, therefore, in breach of his bail conditions.

He appeared before the Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

The court was told that McLaughlin attended for an appointment with the Probation Service. However, one of the staff at the probation office reported him for being in a drunken state.

The police were notified and officers they to locate him at two different addresses, but were unable to find him at either.

The court was told that eventually officers did locate him and when they spoke to him McLaughlin denied being drunk and said he had taken the prescription drug known as Tramadol.

However, the court was told the probation officer in the case said McLaughlin had claimed to have been drinking for several days.

There were no objections to McLaughlin being admitted to bail on condition he attend his GP practice.

McLaughlin was then released to appear at court again later in October.