DRUNKEN 'OMAGH' ACTOR IN APOLOGY
Drunken 'Omagh' actor in apology
ULSTER actor Gerard McSorley has appeared in front of a court in the Republic on charges of being intoxicated in a public place.
The 55-year-old star, who played Michael Gallagher in the movie Omagh, was arrested last month at the Ostan Lock Altan in Gortahork, Co Donegal.
A garda told the District Court that he had been on patrol at 1.40am when the actor had walked across the hotel car park, directly in front of the patrol car.
The Omagh-born actor, who now lives in Dublin, was said to be very drunk and refused to move despite being warned by gardai.
McSorley was arrested and taken to Letterkenny Garda station.
He has a previous conviction for drink-driving and was also charged with impersonating a garda in 2002.
At today's trial his solicitor said his client was very embarrassed and did not remember that incident.
However, Judge Conal Gibbons insisted the actor should be embarrassed and asked him if he really thought he was a garda that night.
His solicitor replied: "Possibly, he is an actor."
Judge Gibbons replied: "Were you practising for a part?" - to which the actor replied that he may have been.
The case was dismissed after McSorley apologised to the Garda Siochana.
ULSTER actor Gerard McSorley has appeared in front of a court in the Republic on charges of being intoxicated in a public place.
The 55-year-old star, who played Michael Gallagher in the movie Omagh, was arrested last month at the Ostan Lock Altan in Gortahork, Co Donegal.
A garda told the District Court that he had been on patrol at 1.40am when the actor had walked across the hotel car park, directly in front of the patrol car.
The Omagh-born actor, who now lives in Dublin, was said to be very drunk and refused to move despite being warned by gardai.
McSorley was arrested and taken to Letterkenny Garda station.
He has a previous conviction for drink-driving and was also charged with impersonating a garda in 2002.
At today's trial his solicitor said his client was very embarrassed and did not remember that incident.
However, Judge Conal Gibbons insisted the actor should be embarrassed and asked him if he really thought he was a garda that night.
His solicitor replied: "Possibly, he is an actor."
Judge Gibbons replied: "Were you practising for a part?" - to which the actor replied that he may have been.
The case was dismissed after McSorley apologised to the Garda Siochana.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0980
Published Date: 30-Sep-05
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