A “nuisance” who verbally abused gardai, telling them to leave him “the f**k alone” while intoxicated on a Dublin street, has had his three-month jail term replaced with community service on appeal.
The District Court Appeals Court heard that Jason Prenderville (35) had to be restrained on the ground by gardai during the incident on College Green, Dublin 2.
Prenderville, with an address in Crumlin, Dublin, was convicted in the District Court of obstruction of a peace officer by resisting a garda member acting in the execution of his duty, contrary to section 19 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994.
He was also convicted of using threatening and abusive behaviour and being intoxicated in a public place under the same act.
Prenderville was sentenced to three months imprisonment on the obstruction charge, with several other charges taken into consideration. He later lodged an appeal against the severity of his sentence.
Sergeant Stephen Walsh told the appeals court today that on July 7, 2025 at 8pm, gardai on patrol in College Green encountered a man drinking cider on the street.
He said that the man’s speech was slurred and he began acting in a threatening and abusive manner toward gardai.
He said that Prenderville told gardai: “it’s only a f**king drink, leave me the f**k alone”.
The sergeant said the defendant resisted arrest and had to be restrained on the ground.
Sergeant Walsh said that Prenderville has come to the attention of gardai since the incident and has 73 previous convictions.
Defence counsel for Prenderville said that alcohol has been a problem for his client in the past but he is now attending AA meetings.
Judge James O’Donoghue decided to substitute the three-month jail term for 180 hours of community service in lieu.
The judge told the defendant “you’re making a nuisance of yourself” and said that he should abstain from alcohol.