Drunk Buncrana man who demanded a lift home from the guards was arrested instead

A Buncrana man who demanded a lift home from gardaí after a day of drinking has been given an opportunity to avoid a criminal conviction by making a €500 donation to charity.

Matthew Lynch, of 7 Oakfield Court, Buncrana, appeared before Buncrana District Court charged under the Public Order Act following an incident on Upper Main Street last year.

The 30-year-old defendant pleaded guilty to a Section 4 offence of public drunkenness.

Sergeant Conor Mulkerns outlined the circumstances of the case, telling the court that at approximately 4.18am during the early hours of May 4, 2025, gardaí on patrol in Buncrana were approached by Mr Lynch, who demanded that they provide him with a lift home.

The court heard that Mr Lynch was extremely intoxicated at the time, to the extent that he was staggering on the roadway.

Gardaí formed the view that he posed a danger to himself and potentially to others due to his condition. As a result, he was arrested for his own safety.

Sergeant Mulkerns also informed the court that Mr Lynch has one previous conviction, dating back to 2023, for drink-driving, for which he received a three-year disqualification from driving.

Defence solicitor Frank Dorrian said the Public Order incident occurred over the May Bank Holiday weekend and explained that his client had been drinking throughout the day and had “lost the run of himself.”

He said Mr Lynch had approached gardaí seeking assistance and that they had intervened appropriately, given his condition.

Mr Dorrian acknowledged that his client’s previous conviction pointed to what he described as an unhealthy relationship with alcohol. He told the court that at the time of the latest incident, Mr Lynch had been unemployed and had experienced some difficulties.

However, he said there had since been a positive change in his client’s circumstances. Mr Lynch has secured an offer of employment in Dublin and intends to work in a bar, where he expects to earn in excess of €500 per week.

Mr Dorrian described him as an otherwise hardworking young man who is now attempting to get his life back on track.

He added that his client was anxious to avoid a criminal conviction and had believed the matter might have been dealt with by way of an adult caution, but that an opportunity to do so had not materialised.

In considering the case, Judge Emile Daly noted that Mr Lynch’s previous conviction would ordinarily weigh against offering him the benefit of having the matter dealt with by way of a charitable donation. However, she acknowledged that he appeared to be taking positive steps to improve his circumstances.

Judge Daly ruled that the charge would be struck out if Mr Lynch made a donation of €500 to the ‘All Roads Lead to Buncrana’ fundraiser in aid of Crumlin Children’s Hospital.

The matter was adjourned until June 11 to allow time for proof of payment to be provided to the court. Judge Daly warned that if the donation is not made, a conviction will be recorded and a €500 fine imposed.