TROUBLED… GAA star Seamus Quigley
TROUBLED GAA star Seamus Quigley who was once hailed as among Fermanagh’s top players has been ordered to undergo an alcohol treatment course and behavourial therapy.
The controversial player was fined €1,000 after pleading guilty to drink-fuelled public order offences at a recent court sitting.
The former star player’s personal and footballing life has attracted wide-spread criticism which is believed to have led to his shock departure from the Fermanagh GAA panel.
Quigley recently found himself embroiled in a number drink-fuelled incidents and appeared in Monaghan District Court on Monday following an incident in Clones town centre.
The 25-year-old was before the court on charges of failing to comply with garda directions, threatening a breach of the peace and being drunk in public during an early-hours incident in Co Monaghan.
Garda James Forde said that at 3am on 14th April 2012, a large crowd had gathered at The Diamond, Clones while waiting to get lifts home after emerging from a disco.
Garda Forde said he had been dealing with a minor incident when Mr Quigley attempted to become involved. There was a strong smell of alcohol from him and his speech was slurred.
Quigley was asked to desist but began giving abuse to him, the garda told the court. He could report on the vulgar language that was used but did not wish to demean the court with it, he added.
He had to be asked a third time before he left the area, and by that stage he had bared his chest, the court was told.
The garda said that upon being informed that a summons would be issued to him in respect of his behaviour, Mr Quigley had replied: “Don’t worry James, I’ll get off with it.”
Judge MacBride also heard that Quigley had previously been given the benefit of having public order charges dismissed under the Probation of Offenders Act, on not one but two occasions.
Remarking that he had recently read how Fermanagh football manager Peter McGrath had lost patience with Quigley over discipline issues, Judge MacBride told the defendant that the court had taken “enough nonsense from the likes of you”.
Describing him as a disgrace to his team and county, the judge also asked Mr Quigley what sort of role model he thought he was for younger players.
Taking the stand, Mr Quigley agreed with Ms Smyth that his behaviour was on the night was quite appalling and said was all down to drink.
Judge MacBride reminded Quigley that when he was before the court for a previous offence he had stated that it was a “once off” and that he was training hard.
On being pressed on this by the judge, Mr Quigley admitted that he had not completely given up the drink but said he had “slowed down”.
“You are only fooling yourself”, the judge told Quigley, adding: “If you think you can take just one sip and put a cork in the bottle you are sadly mistaken.”
“You have got to deal with these issues or alcohol will destroy your life — you have a talent, and why don’t you use it?”
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