Man (30s) pleads guilty to spitting at bouncer in Westmeath nightclub during late night row
Tomasz Surowiak leaving Mullingar Courthouse.
Tomasz Surowiak pleaded guilty to spitting at a bouncer during a disturbance at a nightclub in Mullingar last October.
Judge Bernadette Owens ordered Tomsz Surowiak to return to court next month where sentencing is expected to be finalised.
An unruly Polish man who spat at a bouncer and hurled abuse at revellers inside a Mullingar nightclub has been told by a judge to return to court and show proof he is addressing his alcohol problems.
Thirty-one-year-old Tomasz Surowiak, of Longfield, Edgeworthstown, Co Longford pleaded guilty at a sitting of Mullingar District Court on Thursday to assault, public intoxication as well as using threatening and abusive behaviour at Dominick Street, Mullingar, Westmeath and The Final Fence, Oliver Plunkett Street, Mullingar on October 28 last year.
Sgt Orla Keenan told of how gardaí had been called to reports of an intoxicated male who was causing a disturbance on Dominick Street shortly after 1am.
Tomasz Surowiak pleaded guilty to spitting at a bouncer during a disturbance at a nightclub in Mullingar last October.
She said when officers arrived at the Final Fence nightclub, they were informed Surowiak had spat at a bouncer and was “shouting abuse” at customers inside the premises.
Surowiak was subsequently arrested, brought to Mullingar Garda Station and later charged.
Sgt Keenan said the bouncer who had been victim to the Section 2 assault had no lasting injuries and opted against seeking medical treatment
The court was told, Surowiak, who pleaded guilty to the three charges, had ten previous convictions to his name, the most recent of which came at sitting of Longford District Court in March of this year for using threatening and abusive behaviour.
The date of that offence, which also involved a charge of being found drunk in place that was “taken into consideration” took place in November last year, just a month after Surowiak was arrested for the Mullingar episode.
Judge Bernadette Owens ordered Tomsz Surowiak to return to court next month where sentencing is expected to be finalised.
In defence, solicitor John Quinn said his client wished to apologise “profusely” to the court in a public showing of remorse that saw Surowiak come to court with €350 by way of a “token” of compensation to his victim.
“He was very intoxicated and he accepts that,” said Mr Quinn, adding Surowiak was intent on tackling his predilection to alcohol by attending counselling sessions.
Judge Bernadette Owens responded by asking if Surowiak had shown any evidence to back up those claims, something Mr Quinn accepted he was yet to do.
“He (Surowiak) accepts he has a problem and he has to deal with it,” said Mr Quinn. “He did go back to the (garda) station and apologise for his behaviour.”
Judge Owens said the court was cognisant that the accused had not come to court with his “hands hanging” by offering up compensation, but said the court still harboured concerns as to how Surowiak’s authenticity in curbing his alcohol issues.
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In making reference to Surowiak being charged with a similar offence following the November 2023 incident, Judge Owens said she wanted to see evidence of the counselling he was undertaking.
In addressing the local solicitor, she added: “I would like to see that, when it started, how long the programme is and that it is not just pie in the sky, Mr Quinn.”
Surowiak was remanded on continuing bail to appear back at a sitting of Mullingar District Court on June 27.
