*Mr Higgins has been staying at Laurel Lodge. Photograph: John Mangan

A 59-year old homeless man has told a judge that he hasn’t washed in six months when making an unsuccessful appeal for bail.

At Kilrush District Court on Tuesday, Denis Higgins was appearing concerning two public order charges that are alleged to have occurred at Wood Quay, Ennis town centre on Monday, November 18th.

In giving evidence of arrest, charge and caution, Garda Éanna Fallon said that Mr Higgins said “I am sorry Garda”.

Garda Fallon said that Mr Higgins of Laurel Lodge, Clare Rd, Ennis was highly intoxicated and highly aggressive when arrested by Gardaí at 12.15pm on Monday at Wood Quay, Ennis.

Gardaí were opposing bail for Mr Higgins after Sgt John Burke told the court that Gardaí have no faith in Mr Higgins’ ability to turn up to any adjourned court date.

Solicitor for Mr Higgins, Daragh Hassett told the court that unless Mr Higgins cuts back or stops drinking alcohol, “he won’t see Christmas and I have told him that”.

Mr Hassett said, “He is not well”.

Mr Higgins has been living in a homeless hostel, Laurel Lodge on Ennis’s Clare Rd and Mr Hassett said that Mr Higgins must leave the hostel at 9am each day and not return until 9pm.

Mr Hassett told Judge Gabbett that Mr Higgins has asked him to ask the judge to direct Laurel Lodge to allow him stay there longer than what is currently allowed.

Mr Higgins said, “I haven’t washed in six months. For three days I have been standing out in that rain. If they took me back and tried to look after a small bit – just for a couple of weeks and then I would be alright”.

He said, “I was sitting down in the wet all day long. I had to drink, I just couldn’t handle it.”

Judge Gabbett told Mr Higgins that he was not well enough to abide by any bail conditions and remanded him in custody to Limerick prison to appear before Ennis District Court on Wednesday where all matters that Mr Higgins is facing will be disposed of.

Related News

court yard lanters 1-2
Gort Arts to host exhibition at Kennedy studio for Culture Night
donna mcgettigan 1
Abnormal rental prices in Clare says McGettigan
donald trump 2
Trump 'more than welcome' in Doonbeg for Irish Open says Agriculture Minister
inagh bus stop bike shelter 1
Inagh named Ireland's Greenest village
Latest News
david speed mural killaloe 1-2
Salmon of knowledge mural unveiled in Killaloe
colm walsh o'loghlen marco cleary 1-2
Marco makes his mark to claim player of the week
banner v ennistymon 16-08-25 ronan kilroy 1
Banner book place in Clare IFC semi-finals for very first time
naomh eoin v clondegad 12-10-24 sean mcallister sean bonfil 1
Clondegad cruise past Naomh Eoin to qualify for Clare IFC semi-finals
cratloe v ennistymon 14-09-25 diarmuid ryan 1
Cratloe claim victory over Ennistymon following extra-time excitement
Premium
Parish produce big second half pump to knock out Kilmurry Ibrickane
O'Currys relegated to Junior A ranks for first time since 95 following Ennistymon loss
Wind in Corofin's sails to bounce back to top tier after quarter-final win over Gaels
Cooraclare cause big shock to knock Kilrush out of intermediate championship
Glory for Kilmihil in relegation final as Wolfe Tones drop back down to intermediate

Advertisement

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.