Garda told he’s only a ‘thick farmer buffer picking on all the Knackers in Tuam’

â€Å“YOUâ€â„¢RE only a thick farmer buffer picking on all the Knackers in Tuam,â€Â is what a defendant told a Garda who was transporting him in handcuffs to Tuam Garda Station following his arrest. Thomas Sweeney, 2 Gilmartin Road, Tuam, has earlier told bouncers at Cuba nightclub who refused him admittance â€Å“You are only refusing me because Iâ€â„¢m a Tinker.â€Â Sweeney had 42 previous convictions. Judge Conal Gibbons was told at Tuam District Court that a Garda patrol was flagged down as they passed Cuba nightclub on Vicar Street. There were two males trying to gain admittance to the club and were being prevented from doing so by the door staff. When Sweeney and his companion made threats to the door staff, they were arrested. It was while Sweeney was being transported to the station he made his comments to Garda Alan Sheeran about him being a â€Å“thick farmer bufferâ€Â and threatened that if he wasnâ€â„¢t constrained by handcuffs heâ€â„¢d have something to be afraid of. Sean Acton solr (defending) said his client was a fool with drink. He perceived his refusal at the door of the club as an act of discrimination against members of the Travelling community and this made him frustrated. â€Å“Everyone knows you donâ€â„¢t argue with bouncers,â€Â Judge Gibbons said. â€Å“Bouncers are the milk of human kindness but they arenâ€â„¢t great at debating. When they say no, thatâ€â„¢s the end of the conversation.â€Â He commented that it was now a common sight in even the smallest rural town to see bouncers outside pubs. This was a mark of how society has changed, he said, adding that when he saw how Mr Sweeney behaved he could understand why they were there. Sean Acton said his client was married with four children and was very remorseful for his behaviour. â€Å“Married with four children. What on earth was he doing out going to a nightclub. But I suppose thatâ€â„¢s none of my business,â€Â the Judge said. He added that heâ€â„¢d give him a chance and imposed a fine of €400.