Man shouted racist abuse at Indian restaurant staff

Paul Weldon (49), who shouted insults at the staff even after gardai arrived, had mixed medication with alcohol on the day.

Judge Bryan Smyth gave him a three-month suspended sentence after hearing Weldon had a history of public order offending.

Weldon, of Dodsboro Road, Lucan, pleaded guilty to causing a breach of the peace and failing to obey garda directions at Mary Street on September 26, 2014.

Dublin District Court heard gardai were called to the scene of a complaint and stopped the accused outside the Jervis Centre on Henry Street.

Staff at nearby Madina restaurant said Weldon had been drunk and abusive towards them, demanding money from them.

He was directed to leave the area but followed the gardai back to the restaurant.

While they spoke to staff, Weldon approached and became abusive again.

"He shouted that we should f*** off and mind our own business, and he said that these 'f***ing chinks owe me €1,800'," the prosecuting garda told the court.

He was directed again and again to leave the area and was arrested on the third occasion.

He had a number of previous public order convictions and his history of offending tied in with alcohol abuse, his lawyer said.

He was on medication and made the foolish decision to mix it with alcohol on the day, which caused him to act in a "totally unacceptable manner" , his lawyer said.

Weldon was "ashamed of the way he acted" and could not remember why he said what he did.

The sentence was suspended for a year.