A MAN who was told he had a mountain to climb after pleading guilty to breaching the peace with his drunken behaviour has vowed to do just that.
Joseph McElwee from Aughavennan, Rathmullan, Co Donegal, was advised by a judge to undertake a pilgrimage to the top of Croagh Patrick in Co Mayo as a mark of respect for his fellow Irish people.
Now this sinner claims to have turned over a new leaf after deciding to use the trek as an opportunity to raise funds for charity.
McElwee admitted abusive behaviour when he called a garda "a Mayo w**ker" while out with a group of friends last March.
Earlier this month, the 38-year-old pleaded guilty to threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour, intoxication, disorderly conduct, wilful obstruction and failing to comply with the direction of a garda.
And while he still awaits sentencing, Milford District Court judge Seamus Hughes suggested
McElwee travel to the famous holy mountain as a mark of respect to his fellow Irish people, especially those in the line of duty.
McElwee plans to rise to the challenge and go one step further by using the climb to raise money for a worthy cause.
"A few people are going to do it with me. I'm trying to get a few euro out of it for a Mayo hospital," he told the Irish Independent.
"I want people to know I haven't got anything against Mayo people. We've been out fundraising in the local area. The first card went fairly well. We got €300 in about 20 minutes."
McElwee will be sentenced on October 11
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