Chef pays court €500 for squirting sauces at Kerry chipper staff

Gardaí were called to a chipper in Sneem, Co Kerry after a customer squirted sauce to such an extent it put staff in fear, in Kenmare District Court has been told.

Mindaugas Knyza (37), who works as a chef, went to the Hungry Knight fast food restaurant, North Square, Sneem, at about 2am on September 20th, 2014, Supt Flor Murphy told the court.

“He was causing problems. He was throwing chips and red sauce around,” Supt Murphy said.

Staff became concerned and called gardaí. The episode went on for 15 minutes, the court was told.

Knyza, of Sneem Holiday Village, Sneem, pleaded guilty to engaging in offensive conduct by squirting tomato sauce and mustard sauce over the counter in a fast food outlet, putting employees in fear, contrary to the Public Order Act, 2008.

"I ordered chips, I don't know what happened," Knyza, who works as a chef at the Sneem Hotel, told the court .

He appeared to be “blasé” about the charge, Judge James O’Connor noted. Judge O’Connor warned Knyza he should consider making a contribution to the court poor box to avoid a conviction.

“Nobody wants to hire a chef with a conviction - especially for squirting tomato and mustard sauce all over the place,” the judge warned.

The judge adjourned the matter briefly and Knyza decided to consult with solicitor Padraig O’Connell.

He then offered €500 to the court and this was accepted.

The judge gave him to next October to pay.