*Photograph: Martin Connolly
A 63 year old ‘blind drunk’ Polish man said “I am from Ukraine. I will fight ye all” after assaulting an off-duty Garda Sergeant outside a Doonbeg pub in West Clare last August.
At Kilrush District Court on Tuesday, solicitor Michael Ryan said that his client, Prezemyslaw (Piotr) Katulski had behaved “appallingly” on the night of August 15th last.
Mr Ryan told Judge Mary Larkin, “The things he said to Gardai were completely out of order and a man who says he is from Ukraine when he is actually from Poland, you have to bear this in mind”. Mr Ryan said that on the night his client “took leave of his senses”.
In the case, Mr Katulski of Merchant’s Quay, Kilrush pleaded guilty to assaulting off duty Garda Sergeant, Tim Ryan in Doonbeg village on the night.
Outlining the facts, Sgt Louis Moloney told Judge Larkin that on the night, the off duty Garda Sergeant had just arrived at the pub to watch the Premier League clash of Liverpool and Crystal Palace when he was asked to go outside and assist the pub’s licensee.
Outside, publican Caroline Kennedy was trying to convince Mr Katulski not to drive the 7.5 miles home to Kilrush as he was drunk.
Sgt Moloney said that Tim Ryan identified himself to Mr Katulski as an off-duty Garda and told him not to drive the car.
Sgt Moloney stated that the off-duty Sgt Ryan managed to get the keys out of the ignition and in response Mr Katulski jumped out of the car and came swinging towards him.
Sgt Moloney stated that Mr Katulski – dressed in a t-shirt, shorts and a pair of flip-flops and wearing sun-glasses – made contact with his right fist against the left side of the face of Tim Ryan.
Sgt Moloney stated that after Mr Katulski struck Tim Ryan he said: “F**k you, you piece of sh*t. I am from Ukraine. I will fight ye all.”
Sgt Moloney said that Sgt Ryan was left ‘stunned and shaken’ by the punch but didn’t require any medical treatment.
Sgt Moloney said that Gardai from Kilrush Garda Station arrived at the scene and it required three Gardai to get the handcuffs on Mr Katulski.
Sgt Moloney said that the off duty Sgt Ryan “was more than surprised about how his evening had turned out”.
Sgt Moloney said that Mr Katulski has no previous convictions.
Solicitor, Michael Ryan told Judge Larkin that there are two defendants in the case – the Mr Katulski in court today and the Mr Katulski who was in Doonbeg on the night.
Mr Ryan said that the “very embarrassed” Mr Katulski couldn’t remember what happened on the night and said that he has been living in Ireland for 10 years and has worked here throughout.
Mr Ryan said, “He gets on his bicycle every day and he is genuinely sorry. He doesn’t normally drink as he takes medication for his high blood pressure. Mr Katulski was out with a friend that night”.
Mr Ryan said that the “very conscientious publican, Caroline Kennedy had said of the two on the night “I could see that they could hardly stand-up”.
Mr Ryan said that a Garda witness had said in her statement that Mr Katulski “made an attempt to stand up but couldn’t do so as he appeared to be so intoxicated”.
Judge Larkin said that she wished under the criminal justice system there was a way of dealing with people “who get ‘blind drunk’ and make an absolutely horrific nuisance of themselves”.
Judge Larkin said that the courts and Gardai “have to deal with mad people who are mad with drink and then they come and say ‘I can’t remember’”.
Judge Larkin said that the “poor off duty Garda was left trying to keep the peace and it is very hard to know how to deal with this in an even handed manner”.
Judge Larkin struck the matter out after Mr Katulski paid €500 to the Garda Benevolent Fund.
Judge Larkin said that she took into account Mr Katulski having no previous convictions, his age of 63 and his work history here. She said: “Remaining conviction free is probably important to him at this time of his life”.
