A homeless man who had been sleeping in public toilets in Ennis could be facing prison.
Joseph Pavelka was back before Ennis District Court today on Public Order charges relating to his drinking in public,but the court heard he has not been co-operating with the probation services as requested.
Josef Pavelka is back in Ennis since the weekend, along with Polish man Peter Baram who was with him in court today.
Their living conditions – namely sleeping in the public toilets in Ennis – were described as a scandal by Judge Patrick Durcan last month, prompting the St. Vincent De Paul to find them temporary shelter in a public hostel in Galway.
Today Judge Durkan was told the accommodation had not been good for Mr. Pavelka’s drinking problem, while Inspector Tom Kennedy said media coverage of his case has given the 55 year old Czech national a new celebrity status in Ennis, prompting the public to give him more money which is being spent at the off licence.
Inspector Kennedy said one of the two homeless men had been involved in a further arrest this week and suggested remanding Mr Pavelka in custody, but Judge Durkan ruled that he should remain on bail to allow him time to co-operate with probation services.
However as he adjourned the case for two weeks, he told solicitor Darragh Hassett – that he would have no hesitation in incarcerating his client if gardai have to deal with further nuisance behaviour due to Mr Pavelka’s new found celebrity status.
