Anti-social behaviour will have ‘consequences’ warns judge

Loitering, obstructing people and anti-social behaviour around the county’s towns will not be tolerated, a district court judge has warned.

In a direct message to people who fail to comply with the directions of gardaí to leave an area, Judge James Faughnan has signalled that they will be arrested, brought before the courts, and could be remanded in custody.

Concern has been expressed about anti-social behaviour on the Main Street of the Roscommon Town, with some people feeling intimidated as they go about their day. 

Sitting at Roscommon District Court recently, Judge James Faughnan made the comments after he imposed bail conditions on two men before the court, directing them to stay at least 500 metres away from Main Street in Roscommon Town. He also said this distance could be increased if needed.

The judge said that he believed there was “a bit of a public order issue” in Roscommon Town, with people loitering around Main Street. Anyone caught “misbehaving” or not complying with a garda direction to leave an area would be arrested and brought before the court, he said, even if this required a special sitting of the court.

“Bail will be a problem for them now that they are on notice,” he said. He said he had already issued similar warnings for Ballinasloe, where he also sits, and will be making a similar warning in Castlerea.

“Behave and do what the gardaí say or else there will be consequences. I will not tolerate it," he said.

 Sergeant Mark Mahon said that the direction would be a significant use to local gardaí.