Gardaí pepper spray hotel guest after he racially abused manager following smoking dispute
Stephen Kelly was involved in a row over alleged smoking
A guest who racially abused a hotel manager had to be pepper sprayed by gardaí after he tried to get over a reception counter towards him, a court heard.
Stephen Kelly (46) had been asked to leave the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Blanchardstown following a dispute about smoking in a hotel room.
A court heard that Kelly, who was celebrating an anniversary with his partner, previously worked in the hotel.
Judge David McHugh said this matter was quite serious, and he convicted and fined Kelly €300.
Stephen Kelly was involved in a row over alleged smoking
News in 90 Seconds - June 20th
The defendant, with an address at Patrician Villas in Stillorgan, admitted threatening and abusive behaviour at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Blanchardstown, last June 9.
Sergeant Conor Mohan told Blanchardstown District Court that gardaí were called to the hotel following reports of a dispute with a guest.
It was alleged that there had been smoking in Kelly's hotel room, and the defendant was asked to leave.
Sgt Mohan said Kelly was very drunk, and he made aggressive threats towards the hotel manager, as well as racial verbal abuse.
Sgt Mohan said Kelly tried to jump over the reception counter, and he had to be sprayed with pepper spray by gardaí due to his aggressive nature.
Judge McHugh said this matter was quite serious, and Kelly tried to get across the desk at the manager.
Kelly's defence solicitor said the defendant was not charged with assault.
She said Kelly used to work in the hotel, and was there celebrating an anniversary with his partner.
There was an allegation of smoking in Kelly's room, which was untrue, the solicitor said, and he was immediately removed from the room.
Kelly argued with hotel management because he felt he should have received a warning, rather than an immediate removal.
Kelly was very sorry for his behaviour, and wished to offer his sincere apology to the hotel manager, the court heard.
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