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A man who refused to cover his face on a Bus Éireann bus last July has been sentenced to two months in prison.
Castlebar District Court heard that Andrew Heasman, of Carrowmore, Knock, Co Mayo, had been asked by a bus driver to wear a mask correctly when traveling from Dublin to Knock on July 14.
Garda Thomas Bowens said that he had refused to do this and that, as a result, several passengers had gotten off the bus.
He said Heasman wore the mask “like a hat” and refused to comply with the requirement to cover his mouth and nose.
The garda witness said that when he got on the bus, he described the legislation to the defendant and told him that he was committing a crime under the Health Act 1947.
As evidence, Mr. Heasman said that he told the Gardaí that he was exempt from wearing a mask for health reasons. He said the garda had asked him for medical evidence, but replied that under data protection he was not required to provide that information.
The defendant said that his uncle was being buried that day and that he was traveling from Dublin for the funeral. He described the charges against him as “fabricated.”
Judge Fiona Lydon said that in light of the public health emergency, Mr. Heasman’s behavior had been “totally inappropriate.”
She said she was satisfied that the State had met all the ingredients necessary to achieve a conviction.
The judge sentenced Mr. Heasman to prison for a crime of not wearing a face mask on public transportation on Main Street, Ballyhaunis on July 14.
It took into account a charge for breach of public order on the same date.
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