Parents and son in court over Athlone street disturbance

A couple and their son have appeared before Athlone District Court after committing a number of public order offences outside a nightclub in Athlone earlier this year.

Jayson Bertles (48), Maggie Bertles (46) and Joshua Bertles (23), all with an address at Iona Villas, Athlone, appeared before Judge Bernadette Owens, on April 1, where they pleaded guilty to all charges.

The incident occurred on February 1, 2026, on Church Street. Sergeant Sandra Keane outlined to the court that, at approximately 2.30am, Gardaí observed two males being ejected from a nightclub.

“While bouncers were dealing with him, he got very aggressive and started fighting his son and the bouncers and swinging punches at members of his own family,” said Sgt Keane, of Jayson Bertles.

“He continued to be violent outside the station. He punched and kicked the doors of the van and handcuffs had to be used.”

Jayson Bertles is charged with behaving in a threatening, abusive or insulting manner, with public intoxication and with obstruction of a peace officer. He pleaded guilty to all three charges.

Mr Bertles has ten previous convictions, the most recent of which was in 2018 for being drunk and disorderly.

Joshua Bertles pleaded guilty to similar charges of using threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour, public intoxication and obstructing a peace officer.

“He left the area, but returned to the patrol van when his father was arrested and became aggressive. He was restrained by six Gardaí. While being processed, he apologised for his behaviour,” said Sgt Keane.

Joshua Bertles, who is a married man and a full-time mechanic, has “one set of previous convictions”, all for road traffic offences in October 2021.

Maggie Bertles, who has no previous convictions, pleaded to four public order charges, three of which were identical to her two co-accused, with a fourth charge for refusing to leave the scene when directed by Gardaí.

“While Gardaí were arresting Jayson, she was shouting and roaring at Gardaí. She was directed to leave and refused to do so. She was placed in the patrol car and continued shouting and roaring and kicking the seats as she was being transported,” said Sgt Keane.

Solicitor Tony McLynn, acting on behalf of all three family members, said that his clients weren’t ejected from the nightclub, but were leaving when words were exchanged with someone inside.

The three accused were out celebrating a wedding anniversary and “consumed a lot of shots” in the nightclub. Everything after that is “hazy”, Mr McLynn said.

“Jayson Bertles accepts he was extremely drunk and aggressive. He’s remorseful for his behaviour. He’s a father of nine children, seven of which are dependents and reside at home.”

Mr Bertles is a former mechanic but is now a carer for one of the children, who has autism.

“He’s not ordinarily at a nightclub or drinking excessively. He accepts his behaviour was very poor. He hasn’t had trouble with the Gardaí in quite some time. He instructs me it will not happen again.”

Joshua Bertles also regrets his involvement, the court heard. He had consumed a large amount of alcohol that night.

“He doesn’t frequent pubs or nightclubs. He drank to excess but he sobered up quicker than his dad and had the good manners to apologise to Gardaí,” said Mr McLynn.

“He won’t be back before this court again. He has the sum of €350 with him if you can deal with it in a way other than a conviction. He would like to travel and a record may cause a problem.”

Maggie Bertles has never previously found herself in court, Mr McLynn explained.

“She was out celebrating her wedding anniversary. She had no intention of getting involved in a public order incident. She drank to excess and the alcohol was the primary cause. She regrets her actions. She knows her behaviour was out of order and told me from the start that she’d be pleading guilty. The red mist descended when she saw her son being arrested. It’s not her regular form. She hasn’t been in court before and I don’t expect she will be again.”

Judge Owens noted that, “in fairness to the three defendants,” they had pleaded guilty at a very early date, and had each indicated from the outset that they would be pleading.

“The incident presents an appalling picture and I have no doubt that alcohol was a very significant factor,” she said.

For Jayson Bertles, she directed a restorative justice report to include 30 hours of community service. She also directed he make a payment of €300 to the South Westmeath Hospice by July 22 next.

Judge Owens noted Maggie Bertles came before the court with four charges, but has no previous convictions. She directed Ms Bertles to pay €300 to Athlone Meals on Wheels by July 22, and if a reasonable effort is made to do so, she will deal with the case in a way that allows Ms Bertles to avoid a conviction.

Finally, she noted Joshua Bertles’ initial engagement was “that he tried to prevent things getting out of hand”.

“But when his father was arrested, all caution went to the wind. He did subsequently apologise,” she said.

She directed the €350 he brought to court be handed over to ALF Athlone, and applied Section 1.1 of the Probation Act, which allowed him to avoid a criminal conviction.

“But he won’t get that opportunity again,” she concluded.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme