McSorley can’t pay €150 fine ‘until he starts new contract’
A court has heard that well-known actor Gerard McSorley will not be able to pay a €150 court fine until he gets a new acting contract in January.
The 69-year-old ‘Father Ted’ star, who has also appeared in a number of top movies, appeared yesterday at Letterkenny District Court, in Co Donegal.
An arrest warrant had been issued for McSorley after he failed to appear in court earlier this week.
Garda Inspector Sean Grant told the court McSorley had originally been arrested at Letterkenny Bus Station on November 27 after he was drunk and disorderly.
He was taken to Letterkenny garda station but continued to be abusive to officers and members of the public.
While in the cell he continually spat at the cell door which needed to be cleaned by a cleaning company at a cost of €50.
After he was released from custody, McSorley continued to be abusive and spat at a member of the public in the public area of the station and was rearrested.
McSorley, wearing a scarf and hat and using a walking stick, did not address the court. Instead, his solicitor Patsy Gallagher explained how his client was a very well-known actor with a “distinguished career”.
However, he said he had a number of issues including alcohol, mental health as well as medical issues.
He said he had spoken to his client, of Trinity Court, Newtowncunningham, and he estimated he had spent €80,000 on prescription tablets over the years to cope with his health issues.
He said on the evening in question he had been drinking and had been reminiscing about a number of lost colleagues.
The judge gave the accused six months to pay the fine and legal aid was granted in the case.