Longford man became highly abusive to social welfare staff when payment was refused

A 21 year old man who, upon being refused his social welfare payment, reacted in a manner that was “abusive and insulting” to such an extent that the Gardaí had to be called, has been ordered to pay €250 to Bridgeways in Ballymahon and given until March 10 to pay.

Luke Purcell of 78 McKeown Park, Longford, was before a recent sitting of Longford District Court on two charges – a section 6, for public order, and a section 8, for using / engaging “in threatening, abusive, or insulting words or behaviour.”

The incident occurred at the Intreo centre on June 16 this year.

In delivering a summary of events to the court, Sgt Mark Mahon explained how on June 16 at 10am, when Gardaí arrived at the social welfare office, the manager told Gardaí there was a man acting in an “insulting and abusive manner towards herself and staff members.”

Sgt Mahon said Gardaí were made aware that “Luke Purcell attended the office after he was unable to collect his job seekers payment; his payment had been suspended due to his failure to sign on and he was informed he had to provide letters from the GP to un-suspend the payment.”

Sgt Mahon added, “He became abusive to staff in relation to this; they had a fall out in relation to it and he was directed by Gardaí under the Public Order Act to leave in a peaceful manner but was subsequently arrested for (sections) 6 and 8 when he failed to do so, Judge.”

When asked by Judge Owens if the defendant had any previous convictions, Sgt Mahon replied, “Eight previous convictions, Judge; one for public order and the rest are road traffic matters.

“The public order matter was here in Longford, January 16, 2024, where he was fined €200.”

Representing Mr Purcell in court was solicitor John Anderson.

Addressing the court, Mr Anderson said, “Mr Purcell is 21 years of age and currently on job seekers payment. He has instructed me to apologise to the operators in the Intreo office and he appreciates they have a job to do.

“Unfortunately Mr Purcell was having a very hard time because he hadn’t received his payment but he appreciates now that it was not acceptable behaviour. He was frustrated on the day in question. He has assured me it won’t happen again. I know he has one previous conviction for public order, but he is a young man, Judge, and I would ask that you be as lenient as you possibly can be in relation to this.”

In delivering her verdict, Judge Bernadette Owens said, “I will give credit to Mr Purcell that he has pleaded guilty however people doing their jobs are entitled to do so in a safe way and not have to face a barrage of abuse from somebody who is upset about what has happened.”

Judge Owens added, “I appreciate the background but that was no way for Mr Purcell to behave, and to such an extent that the manager had to call for the assistance of the Gardaí, and even when they came, he still refused to accept the direction of the Gardaí.

“What I will do – because he has one previous conviction for public order – I’m going to give him the opportunity to pay a sum of €250 to Bridgeways Resource Centre in Ballymahon. I’m putting it into March 10 to give him time to pay.”

“Judge Owens said upon evidence of payment, she would apply Section 2 of the Probation Act.”

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