http://www.herald.ie/news/courts/mum-smashed-garda-station-door-in-car-row-29122187.html
A MUM-of-five who smashed a garda station door when
she was told she would have to pay a fee for the release of her
impounded car was in "dire" financial straits.
Lorraine Murray (27) broke glass in the station door when she
slammed it after being told gardai could not help her with her complaint
about the vehicle.
She was fined €300 after she admitted causing the damage.
Murray,
of Sheephill Green, Blanchardstown, was charged with causing a breach
of the peace and criminal damage at Blanchardstown Garda Station on
October 25, 2012.
Garda Cleo Withero told Blanchardstown District Court she was working at the front counter when Murray arrived with a complaint.
Funeral
The garda could not help Murray, who slammed the door three times as she left, smashing the glass.
The
accused's car had been seized and impounded and she had been told she
would not be able to get it back until she paid a sum of money, her
barrister Christina Daly said.
Murray's financial circumstances
were "quite dire" and her outgoings included funeral expenses for her
deceased mother which she was paying by direct debit.
Judge David McHugh said he was sure it had not been a pleasant experience for the garda on duty.
Fining her €300 and giving her an extended period of time to pay, he said: "I imagine it's the best deal in town."
Monday, 11 March 2013
Saturday, 9 March 2013
Drinker who said Dublin pub owner insulted his clothes and got him in full nelson loses claim for €38k
http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/drinker-who-said-dublin-pub-owner-insulted-his-clothes-and-got-him-in-full-nelson-loses-claim-for-38k-29111130.html
A man who claimed the owner of a Dublin pub told him to go home and change out of his pyjamas before locking him in a “full Nelson” in the men’s loo, has lost a €38,000 damages suit for assault.
Jason O’Neill, of Dunard Road, Blackhorse Avenue, Dublin, was also directed to pay the legal costs of Richmond Properties (Ireland) Limited, which trades as Nancy Hands pub in Parkgate Street.
O’Neill (41) told Judge Jacqueline Linnane in the Circuit Civil Court that on September 11, 2006, pub owner Fran O’Reilly slagged him off about his track suit bottoms and made an absolute show of him in front of his drinking buddies.
He said he had followed O’Reilly into the toilets to protest and was whisked around and locked in a full Nelson hold. He said he had turned red and blue and had been unable to breathe.
O’Neill told barrister Deirdre Byrne, counsel for the publican, that he knew O’Reilly had introduced a new dress code banning track suits.
He denied having taken a swing with his fist at O’Reilly who had earlier referred to his clothing as “pjs” and “jammers.”
O’Neill told Ms Byrne he had gone to the pub at 2 p.m. and had between five and seven large bottles of cider, “maybe more, maybe less.” He had gone to his solicitor within a fortnight but had not gone to see a doctor about a painful neck until 15 months after the incident.
Francis O’Reilly told the court he had spoken discreetly to Mr O’Neill about the new dress code rules. He had been followed into the toilet by O’Neill who grabbed him and swung his closed fist at him. He had put him in a lock to save himself from being head butted.
Judge Linnane said CCTV coverage of the incident was timed at between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. the following morning. She was not satisfied Mr O’Neill had suffered any injuries as a result of what had taken place in the men’s lavatory. He had not gone to his doctor until more than a year later.
Former city councillor Gary O'Flynn charged with soliciting Garda murder
http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/former-city-councillor-gary-oflynn-charged-with-soliciting-garda-murder-29107632.html
Gary O'Flynn, the son of former Cork TD Noel O'Flynn, pictured at Cork District Court
A FORMER city councillor was today charged with soliciting someone to murder a Garda, a Revenue Commissioners official and an accountant.
Gary O'Flynn (37), the son of former Cork Td Noel O'Flynn (FF), was charged with three counts of soliciting someone to commit murder.
The charges involve an address on the Mallow Road in Cork.
The three individuals named in the charges are Det Garda Mary Skehan, Revenue Commissioner official George Ross and accountant Patrick Sweeney.
Judge Leo Malone was told that the former Cork City Council member replied "not guilty' when each of the three charges were put to him at Gurranabraher Garda Station.
The State objected to bail and Judge Malone remanded Mr O'Flynn in custody to appear again before Cork District Court on Wednesday.
O’Flynn of Hayfield Drive, Castle Court, Whitechurch, Co Cork applied for free legal and told the court that he presently had no source of income.
Judge Malone said he wanted to see bank account details and reserved the question of legal aid until Wednesday.
Mr O'Flynn appeared in court wearing slacks, a grey jumper and a blue jacket.
He gave evidence both in support of his application for free legal aid and bail.
A qualified solicitor, Gary O'Flynn had taken his father’s old seat on Cork City Council in 2003 when the dual-mandate ban came into force.
He ended his political career five years later with the City Council seat going to his brother, Ken.
Mr O’Flynn’s father was first elected to the Dail in 1997 and served as a TD for 14 years.
He was famously outspoken as a backbench TD and criticised both Bertie Ahern and Brian Cowen for their leadership of the party and country.
The former TD also criticised current party leader Michael Martin for allegedly failing to support his son Ken’s Seanad bid.
Noel O’Flynn agreed not defend his seat at the 2011 General Election at Mr Martin’s specific request amid concerns that, if the party vote was split, they would fail to elect a TD in Jack Lynch’s old constituency for the first time in FF history.
The former TD was taken
to a Cork hospital last Friday as a precautionary measure after
complaining of dizziness and chest pains.
Mum-of-four is jailed for stealing crockery
http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/mumoffour-is-jailed-for-stealing-crockery-29110805.html
A MOTHER-of-four who stole crockery from a Drogheda shop has been given a three month prison sentence.
Kathleen McDonagh with an address at Vincent Avenue in Dundalk pleaded guilty to the theft of €70 worth of crockery from Heaton's in Drogheda on October 5th, 2012.
A previous sitting of Drogheda District Court had heard that at 11am McDonagh entered the shop and left without paying for €70 worth of crockery. She left the car park in a Hiace van which was driven by another person. The manager of the shop followed the van along the M1 and alerted gardai to the incident.
McDonagh was arrested and made full admissions. The crockery was also recovered.
McDonagh, who has 53 previous convictions, is currently serving a nine month sentence for another offence.
Defence solicitor Mr Dermot Monahan said the 41-year-old is “finding incarceration a very sobering experience” and asked Judge William Hamill not to add to the sentence she is currently serving.
Judge Hamill was informed that McDonagh was not the driver of the vehicle.
He sentenced her to three months to run concurrent to the prison term she is already serving.
Kathleen McDonagh with an address at Vincent Avenue in Dundalk pleaded guilty to the theft of €70 worth of crockery from Heaton's in Drogheda on October 5th, 2012.
A previous sitting of Drogheda District Court had heard that at 11am McDonagh entered the shop and left without paying for €70 worth of crockery. She left the car park in a Hiace van which was driven by another person. The manager of the shop followed the van along the M1 and alerted gardai to the incident.
McDonagh was arrested and made full admissions. The crockery was also recovered.
McDonagh, who has 53 previous convictions, is currently serving a nine month sentence for another offence.
Defence solicitor Mr Dermot Monahan said the 41-year-old is “finding incarceration a very sobering experience” and asked Judge William Hamill not to add to the sentence she is currently serving.
Judge Hamill was informed that McDonagh was not the driver of the vehicle.
He sentenced her to three months to run concurrent to the prison term she is already serving.
“Neanderthal” saved from jail by wedding date
http://www.advertiser.ie/athlone/article/54950/neanderthal-saved-from-jail-by-wedding-date
By Finian Coghlan
A judge alluded to the Travelling community as “Neanderthal men” in a case of neighbour intimidation heard in the District Court this week (September 5).
“Threatening to burn someone out of their house when you live only four doors away, I suspect Mr Stokes comes from a certain ethnic background which would give him more form and add to the level of threat, given the type of behaviour that some of them engage in,” said Judge Seamus Hughes.
He was addressing Martin Stokes (21), formerly of Millbrook Drive, Old Tuam Road, Monksland, Athlone, but now with an address in Corkhill, Kinnegad, who was pleading guilty to threatening a neighbour.
“Neanderthal men lying in the long grass and living by the law of the jungle is how I’d describe them,” said the judge, before ordering Stokes pay €200 to his neighbour.
Earlier the judge heard how a neighbour had come home from work on May 25 to find Stokes pushing a child around Millbrook Drive in his child’s go-kart.
“He asked Stokes to stop as he felt he might be liable if there was an accident, but Stokes got very irrate, and called him useless and good for nothing,” said Inspector Nicholas Farrell.
“He put his face in [the victim’s] face, said he’d break his windows, and: ‘I’ll burn your house’,” continued the Inspector.
“I felt he was trying to intimidate me into a fight. He was very threatening. We know Mr Stokes and don’t have any respect for him,” said the neighbour in his evidence.
The court heard how Stokes had nine previous convictions for theft and trespass, and committed this offence whilst under the threat of his second suspended sentence.
“We’re not making any excuses. It shouldn’t have happened. This family could well have done without this,” said defending solicitor, Mr Michael McDarby.
“He got the leniency of the court twice, but the suspended sentences didn’t seem to work,” noted Judge Hughes.
Mr McDarby pleaded for an adjournment of sentence as his client was getting married in December.
“Leave it hanging over him, and maybe for once he may take responsibility for his behaviour,” said Mr McDarby.
“I will allow that event take place but I want €200 in compensation so the victim’s family can have a night out at your expense,” said the judge, before remanding Stokes on continuing bail until December 19 for a probation report.
“I’m warning you, Mr Stokes, don’t put a foot out of place between now and then, and make sure on the day of your wedding that none of your guests do either,” warned the judge.
See Also
http://www.westmeathindependent.ie/news/roundup/articles/2012/09/13/4012211-local-judge-rejects-resignation-calls/
http://www.westmeathexaminer.ie/news/roundup/articles/2012/09/12/4012192-traveller-group-calls-on-athlone-judge-to-resign/
http://www.advertiser.ie/mullingar/article/41193
http://www.advertiser.ie/athlone/article/42176/judge-hopes-to-finalise-turf-case-by-end-of-september
http://www.advertiser.ie/athlone/article/30601
By Finian Coghlan
A judge alluded to the Travelling community as “Neanderthal men” in a case of neighbour intimidation heard in the District Court this week (September 5).
“Threatening to burn someone out of their house when you live only four doors away, I suspect Mr Stokes comes from a certain ethnic background which would give him more form and add to the level of threat, given the type of behaviour that some of them engage in,” said Judge Seamus Hughes.
He was addressing Martin Stokes (21), formerly of Millbrook Drive, Old Tuam Road, Monksland, Athlone, but now with an address in Corkhill, Kinnegad, who was pleading guilty to threatening a neighbour.
“Neanderthal men lying in the long grass and living by the law of the jungle is how I’d describe them,” said the judge, before ordering Stokes pay €200 to his neighbour.
Earlier the judge heard how a neighbour had come home from work on May 25 to find Stokes pushing a child around Millbrook Drive in his child’s go-kart.
“He asked Stokes to stop as he felt he might be liable if there was an accident, but Stokes got very irrate, and called him useless and good for nothing,” said Inspector Nicholas Farrell.
“He put his face in [the victim’s] face, said he’d break his windows, and: ‘I’ll burn your house’,” continued the Inspector.
“I felt he was trying to intimidate me into a fight. He was very threatening. We know Mr Stokes and don’t have any respect for him,” said the neighbour in his evidence.
The court heard how Stokes had nine previous convictions for theft and trespass, and committed this offence whilst under the threat of his second suspended sentence.
“We’re not making any excuses. It shouldn’t have happened. This family could well have done without this,” said defending solicitor, Mr Michael McDarby.
“He got the leniency of the court twice, but the suspended sentences didn’t seem to work,” noted Judge Hughes.
Mr McDarby pleaded for an adjournment of sentence as his client was getting married in December.
“Leave it hanging over him, and maybe for once he may take responsibility for his behaviour,” said Mr McDarby.
“I will allow that event take place but I want €200 in compensation so the victim’s family can have a night out at your expense,” said the judge, before remanding Stokes on continuing bail until December 19 for a probation report.
“I’m warning you, Mr Stokes, don’t put a foot out of place between now and then, and make sure on the day of your wedding that none of your guests do either,” warned the judge.
See Also
http://www.westmeathindependent.ie/news/roundup/articles/2012/09/13/4012211-local-judge-rejects-resignation-calls/
http://www.westmeathexaminer.ie/news/roundup/articles/2012/09/12/4012192-traveller-group-calls-on-athlone-judge-to-resign/
http://www.advertiser.ie/mullingar/article/41193
http://www.advertiser.ie/athlone/article/42176/judge-hopes-to-finalise-turf-case-by-end-of-september
http://www.advertiser.ie/athlone/article/30601
prove you spent €26k payout, thief is told
http://www.herald.ie/news/courts/prove-you-spent-26k-payout-thief-is-told-29085975.html
A JUDGE has said she needs to see the "paper trail" behind the purchase of a pair of dogs before she grants legal aid to a young man who spent a €26,000 legal settlement in less than three months.
Judge Catherine Murphy said she would not agree to give free legal aid to William Croft unless he produces evidence of the €5,000 he maintains he spent on a failed attempt to buy two dogs over the internet.
He insists he now has nothing left from the €26,000 settlement and is seeking legal aid to cover the cost of his defence in a theft case.
The judge granted a final adjournment to give Croft time to find records of the transaction to buy the dogs.
Croft (21), of Woodlawn Green, Santry, was put on a one-year probation bond after he pleaded guilty to trespassing and stealing a Mercedes wheel and tyre at Coolock on October 1 last.
A JUDGE has said she needs to see the "paper trail" behind the purchase of a pair of dogs before she grants legal aid to a young man who spent a €26,000 legal settlement in less than three months.
Judge Catherine Murphy said she would not agree to give free legal aid to William Croft unless he produces evidence of the €5,000 he maintains he spent on a failed attempt to buy two dogs over the internet.
He insists he now has nothing left from the €26,000 settlement and is seeking legal aid to cover the cost of his defence in a theft case.
The judge granted a final adjournment to give Croft time to find records of the transaction to buy the dogs.
Croft (21), of Woodlawn Green, Santry, was put on a one-year probation bond after he pleaded guilty to trespassing and stealing a Mercedes wheel and tyre at Coolock on October 1 last.
One-legged man tried to force his way into house
http://www.herald.ie/news/courts/onelegged-man-tried-to-force-his-way-into-house-29088048.html
A DUBLIN man who caused over €3,500 worth of damage to a patio door when he tried to force it open was disturbed when an off-duty garda heard the house alarm and went to investigate.
Eddie Valentine (38) was spotted in the garden of the house in south Dublin by an off-duty garda who was visiting a friend in the area.
A court heard that Valentine caused over €3,500 worth of damage to the back patio door after he tried to force his way into the house.
Judge Bridget Reilly ordered a probation report and adjourned sentencing to March. Valentine, of Carrickmount Drive, in Rathfarnham, was found guilty before Dun Laoghaire District Court of charges of trespass and criminal damage.
The incident took place at Finsbury Park in Churchtown on June 26 last year.
Garda Gavin Ryan said he heard the house alarm going off shortly before lunch and when we went to check it, he saw Valentine leaving the front garden.
Garda Ryan said the man he saw, Valentine, was on crutches and only had one leg. In cross-examination, the garda said he was 100pc sure the man he saw leaving the property was Valentine.
The homeowner, Winnifred Jeffers, said when she left the house that morning she checked the windows and doors were all closed and the alarm was on.
Buckled
When she returned to the house, she said the patio door and frame were badly buckled, and it appeared that an implement had been used to try and force open the door. The cost of repairing the damage was €3,726.
Defence solicitor Ronnie Lynam said there was no evidence that Valentine caused the damage to the back patio door. However, Judge Reilly said she believed the State had made its case.
The court heard Valentine has 57 previous convictions, including previous for burglary and trespass.
The court previously heard Valentine has been getting in trouble over nearly 20 years. Valentine also lost his leg due to his drug use. Judge Reilly also ordered a probation report.
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