Drunk painter was attempting to walk home to Derry from the Buncrana Music Festival

A young man who was found “highly intoxicated” while attempting to walk home from Buncrana to Derry after a row with his girlfriend has avoided a criminal conviction by benefitting from an adult caution instead.

Owen Begley, of Iniscarn Road, Derry, appeared before Buncrana District Court, where he admitted a charge of public drunkenness under Section 4 of the Public Order Act.

The incident occurred on the night of Sunday, July 13, 2025, after the 23-year-old painter had spent a day socialising at the Buncrana Music Festival.

Sergeant Jim Collins, prosecuting, outlined how gardai on mobile patrol at Ludden, Buncrana, at approximately 11.24pm, observed Mr Begley walking along the main road.

The court heard that he was heavily intoxicated and was considered a danger both to himself and to others. Gardaí intervened and brought him to Buncrana Garda Station, where he was allowed to sober up.

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Sergeant Collins noted that once Mr Begley had regained sobriety, he was apologetic for his behaviour. The court also heard that he has no previous convictions.

Defence solicitor Ciaran MacLochlainn explained the circumstances leading to the incident.

He said his client had attended the Buncrana Music Festival on the seafront and had consumed a large amount of alcohol. While there, he had been in the company of his girlfriend, but the couple had argued due to his level of intoxication.

According to the defence, the girlfriend had initially intended to bring him home but ultimately refused and left him there.

“He was with his girlfriend, but because he had taken so much drink, they fell out. She was to leave him home, but she refused and walked away and left him,” Mr MacLochlainn told the court.

Mr Begley then made the ill-advised decision to walk all the way back to Derry on foot. The solicitor said it was fortunate that gardai encountered him and brought him to safety.

The court also heard that gardai had initially intended to deal with the matter by way of an adult caution on the night. However, due to his intoxicated state, Mr Begley was not in a position to understand what was being explained to him at the time.

Judge Emile Daly remarked that an adult caution could still be appropriate in the circumstances.

The court was told that Mr Begley works as a painter and had suffered personal consequences as a result of the incident, including the loss of his relationship with his girlfriend.

“I’m not surprised,” Judge Daly commented.

Following a short recess, an adult caution was administered, and the judge struck out the charge, leaving Mr Begley without a criminal conviction.