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COURTS
An Chúirt Dúiche …
Dungarvan District Court
Dungarvan Observer | Friday, 6 February, 2015
Suspended jail sentence for man who stole from employer A MAN who stole over €3,000 from his employer, was handed a suspended six month prison sentence last week. Gary Coady (31) with an address on record as 18 Riverlane, Abbeyside, Dungarvan, pleaded guilty at a sitting of the District Court in October, 2012, to theft of €3,219 from the Park Hotel, Dungarvan, on dates between 5th January, 2011 and 24th March,
2011. The court was told that the accused has previous convictions for similar theft charges and has a “serious gambling addiction”, which he was dealing with through Gambler’s Anonymous. The case was adjourned for a lengthy period to allow the accused put together compensation to pay back the hotel. At last week’s Dungarvan District
Court, solicitor David Burke said his client has now paid the balance of the money owed. “My client has pleaded guilty at an early stage and made full admissions to taking the money,” Mr. Burke told Judge Terence Finn. “He is in a long-term relationship and is involved in sports and training youths in Waterford City.” Judge Finn said the accused abused the trust of his employer at
the time by stealing from them. He noted the accused has previous convictions for similar offences of theft. Mr. Burke said his client has not come to any further Garda attention, which was confirmed by Inspector David Nolan. Judge Finn handed down a six month jail sentence, suspended for 12 months on condition the accused be of good behaviour and keep the peace.
Teenager sent forward for trial A TEENAGER accused of alleged assault was sent forward for trial last week. The 16-year-old County Waterford youth, who cannot be named as he is underage, is accused of alleged assault causing harm at a location in the county on 11th July last year. He is also accused of alleged production of an article in the course of a dispute. At last week’s juvenile sitting of Dungarvan District Court, Inspector David Nolan confirmed that the Book of Evidence has been served on the accused and the DPP consents to have the accused sent forward for trial.
Judge Terence Finn made an order sending the accused forward for trial to the next sittings of Waterford Circuit Criminal Court, commencing from 3rd February, 2015. Bail with conditions was granted to the accused, along with free legal aid. Solicitor David Burke and one counsel was assigned. Judge Finn warned the accused that he has 14 days to notify the prosecution of any witnesses he intends to call to the trial to give evidence. Failure to notify the prosecution will result in those witnesses not entitled to give evidence. The accused indicated he understood.
Fine imposed for public order offence A WOMAN observed in an intoxicated state in public was fined last week. Colette Cleary (21) with an address at 35 Shandon Street, Dungarvan, pleaded guilty to being intoxicated in public at Byrneville, Dungarvan, on 18th May, 2014. At last week’s Dungarvan District Court, Inspector David Nolan told Judge Terence Finn that at 4.15 a.m. on the date in question, a dispute was taking place in an area between Byrneville and Cathal Brugha Place, involving a number of individuals.
“The individuals, including the accused, were directed under Section 8 of the Public Order Act to leave the area,” said Insp. Nolan. “The accused was escorted away by another female. A short while later, the accused was observed by Gardaí to be entering the estate again. “The accused was in an intoxicated state,” Insp. Nolan said. He said that a fixed charge notice was issued to the accused for the offence, but was never paid. The court heard the accused has previous con-
victions, but no offences under the Public Order Act. Solicitor Niall King said his client apologises for her behaviour. He said his client is the mother of a young child. “She could have avoided all this by moving off in the first instance when directed by Gardaí. Her returning to the scene prompted the Gardaí to act,” said Judge Finn. “She then spurned the fine and now has to face the wrath and sharp tongue of the court,” he added. He handed down a €150 fine.
Poor box donation to be made A BALLINAMULT woman who admitted to possession of cannabis will have the charge struck out if she makes a donation to the court poor box. Sarah Aldridge (27) with an address at Knockacaharna, Ballinamult, pleaded guilty to cannabis for her own personal use, contrary to Section 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act, at her home on 5th June, 2012. At last week’s Dungarvan District Court, Inspector David Nolan told Judge Terence Finn that on the date in question, Gardaí carried out a search of the accused’s address and found a small quantity of cannabis resin
and cannabis herb. “She admitted possession of the drugs for her own personal use,” said Insp. Nolan. He said the street value of the drugs found was approximately €20. Solicitor David Burke said his client has no previous convictions. He said his client cares for her father in Waterford. Judge Finn said he would seek €200 for the poor box. The case was adjourned to 22nd April, 2015, to allow the accused to gather the money.
Attending the Afterhours event at McCarthy Insurances in association with Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber were Matt Houlihan, Printmaster; Jerry O'Connor, Dungarvan Shopping Centre; Jim Gow and Eamon Downey. [Sean Byrne//Deise Media]
Judge Poor box donation refuses sees public order jurisdiction THE District Judge refused jurisdiction in a case where a Ballinamult man is accused of alleged assault. Anthony Harty (60) with an address at Bleantis, Ballinamult, is accused of alleged assault causing harm, contrary to Section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act; and is also accused of the alleged production of an article (namely an alleged golf club) during the course of a dispute, contrary to Section 11 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act, at Ballintlea, Killrossanty, on 23rd October, 2013. After hearing a summary of the allegations at last week’s Dungarvan District Court, Judge Terence Finn refused jurisdiction in the case. He adjourned the case to 11th March, 2015, for the preparation and service of a Book of Evidence.
charge struck out
A DONATION to the court poor box resulted in a public order offence being struck out for a Dungarvan man. Shane Griffin (22) with an address at 16 Father Twomey’s Road, Dungarvan, pleaded guilty to being intoxicated in public at O’Connell Street, Dungarvan, on 26th January, 2014. At last week’s Dungarvan District Court, Inspector David Nolan told Judge Terence Finn that Gardaí came across the accused in
the early hours of 26th January, 2014, at O’Connell Street. “The accused was in an intoxicated state and was unsteady on his feet,” said Insp. Nolan. “They believed him to be a danger to himself and others in the area and he had to be arrested.” The accused has no previous convictions. A donation of €120 was made to the court poor box and Judge Finn struck out the charge.
Cannabis charge struck out A WOMAN who was found in possession of cannabis had the charge struck out after she made a donation to the court poor box. Ann Cahill (34) with an address at 21 Fitzgerald Terrace, Dungarvan, had pleaded guilty, at a previous sitting of the District Court, to possession of cannabis resin for her own personal use, contrary to Section 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act, at her home on 22nd November, 2013.
The case was adjourned to allow the accused to gather a €300 donation for the court poor box. At last week’s Dungarvan District Court, solicitor David Burke said his client has paid the donation. Inspector David Nolan confirmed that the accused has not come to any further Garda attention. Judge Terence Finn struck out the charge.