A Co Cork TD who pleaded guilty to threatening and abusing gardaí who called to his home on foot of a complaint about noise has been given the benefit of the Probation Act.
Cork East Sinn Féin TD Patrick (Pat) Buckley pleaded guilty last May to a charge of being drunk and to using abusive or threatening behaviour to gardaí at his home in Midleton on 8 August 2017.
At his sentencing hearing today at Midleton District Court, solicitor Henry McCourt reminded Judge Brian Sheridan that he had indicated last May if his client did not come to the attention of gardaí again he would be given the benefit of the Probation Act.
Inspector Tony O'Sullivan confirmed that there had been no issues since.
Judge Sheridan applied the Probation Offenders' Act, which means that Mr Buckley will not have a conviction recorded against his name.
The TD was not in court for the sentence hearing but in Dublin where he was due to speak in the Dáil on mental health.
Following the court case last May, Mr Buckley issued a statement in which he apologised for his behaviour and for any offence caused.
He said "this was a family event, a celebratory affair involving a few drinks in my own home. Unfortunately, with alcohol on board, my attitude towards the gardaí when they arrived at my home was not what it should have been."
"I apologise profusely for any offence caused and I accept totally the punishment handed down to me in court yesterday".
