VERBAL ABUSE | 

Drunken duo confronted Ukrainians in bar asking ‘why they weren’t at home fighting’

Adam Glaza and Marcin Kuznick pleaded guilty to using threatening and abusive behaviour.

Today at 08:43

Two men told a hotel worker to “f*** off” and a “b****” after she asked them to leave when they began verbally abusing a group of Ukrainians.

Adam Glaza, Flat 20 Castle Street, Mullingar, Westmeath and Marcin Kuznicki, 60 Farran Ashe, Mullingar, Co Westmeath pleaded guilty to using threatening and abusive behaviour at The Newbury Hotel, Dominick Street, Mullingar on June 18 last year.

Sgt Orla Keenan told Mullingar District Court how gardaí were called to the scene at around 7pm in response to reports of two intoxicated men who were causing annoyance in the hotel.

She said a female staff member had asked the two accused to leave which they did before returning to the hotel minutes later.

It was on the second occasion that the pair told the female staff member to “f*** off” when she asked them to leave, calling her a “b***” in the process.

The court was told it was during that interaction that the two men had been verbally abusive to a number of Ukrainian nationals who had been sitting in the bar.

Judge Owens was told father of one, Glaza had seven previous convictions to his name, all of which were for road traffic related offences that dated back to 2016.

His co-accused, Kuznicki, a father of three had five previous convictions, two of which were for public order offences.

Upon hearing details surrounding the episode, Judge Owens said neither of the men “covered themselves in glory” with their behaviour.

Defence solicitor Louis Kiernan agreed, saying his clients actions were not in keeping with what should have been a night of well-mannered socialising.

He said both his clients, who had been in the country for a number of years had encountered a number of Ukrainian individuals which was when an “exchange” had taken place.

“It was something along the lines of ‘why are you not at home fighting for your country?’

“They were asked to leave and did but returned 15 minutes later which was when she (staff member) asked them to leave and it was on the second occasion there was that interaction which they regret.”

Judge Owens indicated she would stop short of handing a conviction down to both men on the provision they return to court on May 13 with €400 for payment to the court poor box.