Gardaí were called to the Tullamore Court Hotel in Tullamore, Offaly on June 29 this year at around 3am after staff reported McGrath's behaviour.

Officers found him in the car park at the rear of the hotel where he was extremely intoxicated and had tried to get into two cars.

He was shouting in a disturbed manner, Inspector John Lawless said.

Solicitor Donal Farrelly said McGrath has an acute social phobia and usually avoids all public events unless with his agent who was unavailable to attend the family wedding in Tullamore.

Mr Farrelly said McGrath was offered alcohol by friends and had been drinking on Friday and on Saturday when he was arrested.

He said the separated father of six was extremely ashamed and embarrassed by the incident and the public humiliation of the court appearance was very painful for such a quiet and shy man.

Judge Alan Mitchell described McGrath’s written apology as very forthright and acknowledged him as a national hero and one of the greatest footballers the country has ever produced.

He noted McGrath’s five previous convictions for road traffic and public order offences, but said it would a benefit to McGrath and to local young people if he did something for the community.

He said young people look up to McGrath and he wants to see something positive come from the incident.

He dismissed the offence under the Probation Act on condition he gives a day of training to Tullamore’s juvenile soccer players within the next six months.