Mayo man who failed to wear face mask on bus jailed for public order offence

A Bus Eireann passenger who wore a mask on his head 'like a hat' and refused to wear it properly for 'health reasons' was sentenced to two months in prison by a district court judge today.

After hearing the evidence at Castlebar court in a case against Andrew Heasman (41), Carrowmore, Knock, Judge Fiona Lydon said she was satisfied that all of the ingredients required to secure a conviction had been satisfied by the State.

The judge sentenced Heasman to the prison term for failing to give his name and address to the gardaí after he failed to wear a face mask on public transport at Main Street, Ballyhaunis, on July 14 last.

She took a charge under Section 6 of the Public Order Act on the same date into account.

Heasman was accompanied in court – as a McKenzie friend – by the columnist, author and civil rights activist, John Waters.

The court was told by Garda Thomas Bowens that the defendant refused to wear a mask properly when asked to by the bus driver and that a number of passengers had gotten off the bus as a result of this.

Garda Bowens said that he observed approximately 18 passengers outside the bus which was travelling from Dublin to Knock.

The garda witness said that when he entered the bus he outlined the legislation to the defendant telling him he was committing an offence under the Health Act 1947.

“He was wearing a mask on the top of his head like a hat," Garda Bowens testified.

“I told him there was a requirement in place that the mask should cover the face, mouth and nose."

Garda Bowens said the defendant recorded his interaction with him (garda) on his mobile phone and encouraged other passengers to film also.

He accused the garda of harassment stating: “I want to be left alone”.

After being handcuffed Heasman began to shout loudly as he was being led to a patrol car: “They are arresting me for not wearing a mask."

In evidence, Heasmann said he told the gardai he was exempt from wearing a mask for health reasons.

He said the garda had asked him for medical evidence but he replied that under data protection he was not required to provide that information.

The defendant said his uncle was being laid to rest on the day and he was travelling from Dublin for the funeral.

He described the charges against him as “trumped up.”

Judge Lydon said that in the light of the public health emergency, Heasman’s behaviour had been ‘totally inappropriate'.

Heasman, the court heard from Inspector Denis Harrington prior to sentencing, had 24 previous convictions, mostly related to road traffic matters.