Man fined for racial abuse of fast food worker
A man who racially abused a fast food worker on the day of his daughter’s christening was branded a fool by a judge today.
Graham Lennon, 24, from Sheephill Park, Corduff in Dublin, drank five shots of vodka and four bottles of beer during the celebrations last month.
Prosecuting Garda Patrick Gallagher told Dublin District Court that Lennon then made racist and threatening remarks to a non-national worker at a Dublin takeaway.
Judge James Paul McDonnell was scathing in his criticism of Lennon.
“It doesn’t say much for you that you cannot celebrate your daughter’s christening, without making a complete fool of yourself with drink,” he said.
Lennon, a father of three, pleaded guilty to charges of threatening and abusive behaviour under Section 6 of the 1994 Public Order Act. He said he was sorry for what he had done.
Judge McDonnell asked Lennon if this was the sort of behaviour expected from a father.
“The court cannot tolerate this kind of racist abuse. If it happens again there’s a good chance you’ll go to jail,” he said.
“People expect to work without having to take any abuse from customers, particularly in relation to their racial origins.”
Judge McDonnell fined Lennon €350 and gave him 60 days to pay.
