Man became ‘a bit nippy’ at train station

A man, who admitted to becoming “a bit nippy” towards staff at Athlone Train Station in September, is due to reappear before Athlone District Court in February.

Joseph Mulhall (42), with an address at St Oliver’s Estate, Geashill, Co Offaly, appeared before Judge Bernadette Owens charged with public order offences.

Those charges were for public intoxication and for threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour in public at Athlone Train Station on September 11, 2025.

The court heard that, at 7.15pm on that day, Gardaí received reports of an intoxicated male being aggressive towards staff. He was denied access to the train and, when Gardaí arrived, he became abusive.

Mr Mulhall, who has 14 previous convictions, told the court that he was meeting a few friends that day but, “when I went to the platform, the security guard wouldn’t let me out to the platform and I got a bit nippy”.

Mark Cooney, solicitor for the defence, said his client “accepts he was intoxicated”.

“I think he could do with a bit of guidance and I’m asking that he be referred to the probation service,” he said.

Judge Owens directed a probation report and remanded the accused on continuing bail to February 25.

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