Takeaway boss spared criminal record over abuse of gardai at Oasis concert
AN OASIS fan arrested for hurling drunken abuse at gardai outside one of the band's Dublin concerts at the weekend has been spared a criminal record.
Liam Cousins (40) might have been affected by the heat of the day and the 'excitement of Oasis' when he verbally abused officers who stopped him jumping over a barrier at Croke Park, a court heard.
The band, famous for songs such as 'Don't Look Back in Anger' and 'Cigarettes and Alcohol' were playing the first of two sellout gigs at the stadium when the incident happened.
Judge John Brennan struck out public order charges, leaving him without convictions after Cousins made a €200 charity donation.
The accused, a father-of-one with an address at Ashley Park, Ballymena, Co Antrim pleaded guilty to threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour and public intoxication on Saturday.
Garda Sergeant Derek Spain told Dublin District Court a cordon was in place at Russell Street near Croke Park when Cousins jumped over the barrier in an attempt to gain access.
He was directed to leave in a peaceful manner but failed to comply and was arrested. He had no previous convictions.
Liam Cousins
The accused, who owns a takeaway business, had come to Dublin for the concert, his solicitor Darren Gray said.
'He admits he had too much to drink,' he said.
Judge Brennan said he did not know whether it was due to 'the sun, the heat, or God knows what, the excitement of Oasis' but Cousins' behaviour towards the gardai was 'very bad form.'
He noted that the accused had no prior convictions and had entered a very early guilty plea.
He's learned his lesson,' the judge added, striking the charges out.
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