Politics

Niall Mellon admits to public drunkenness and breaching the peace

Judge says behaviour was ‘inexcusable’ and placed him on peace bond for 12 months

Niall Mellon: said he had had a meal with a friend and then went for a few drinks. He did not drink very often and was intoxicated on the night. Photograph: Frank Miller
Niall Mellon: said he had had a meal with a friend and then went for a few drinks. He did not drink very often and was intoxicated on the night. Photograph: Frank Miller
Mon Jan 06 2014 - 18:10

Niall Mellon, the businessman best known for his volunteer housebuilding initiatives in South Africa, has pleaded guilty in court to public drunkenness and breaching the peace at a pub in Rathfarnham, Dublin, last July.

Mellon, who told gardaí they were “bastards” when he was arrested at the pub, was placed on a peace bond by Tallaght Court.

A solicitor for the Director of Public Prosecutions told the court that the DPP had directed summary disposal of the cases. Mellon, who said he was representing himself, told Judge Anthony Halpin he travelled a lot and took up to 300 flights a year. He said he would be willing to plead guilty to the public drunkenness charge but asked that the breach of the peace charge be struck out.

Judge Halpin said that the case would have to go to hearing. Mellon asked if the case could be dealt with that day. Judge Halpin said the case would have to be put back for hearing. Mellon said he would plead guilty to both charges.

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Mellon (46), Sandwich Road, Manchester, pleaded guilty to public drunkenness and breaching the peace at Taylors Three Rock, Kellystown Road, on July 12th last.

Garda Sgt Jones said that at 12.30am, gardaí had been called to Taylors Three Rock after they received a call that a group was dealing in drugs. He said Mellon had made the call but he was very drunk and very abusive to staff and the public. Gardaí learned that Mellon used to own the premises but it was now under the control of Nama.

Garda Sgt Jones said Mellon began to square up to another man and gardaí then ordered him out of the bar. They encouraged him to take a taxi home but he refused. He said that he was directed to leave the area but he refused. Mellon told the gardaí that he would “f**king embarrass them in court” and told them “you are bastards”. Mellon was arrested and taken to Rathfarnham Garda Station.

Garda Sgt Jones said Mellon continued to be abusive. He had a previous conviction from 2005 when he had been fined €200 for breaching the peace.

Mellon said that he had had a meal with a friend in Dundrum and then gone for a few drinks. There had been “a very hostile atmosphere” in Taylors Three Rock. He said he did not drink very often and had been intoxicated on the night in question. He said he was still the owner of Taylors Three Rock on the deeds.

Judge Halpin told Mellon that his behaviour had been “inexcusable”. He placed him on a peace bond for 12 months.