Court Briefs

Friday, 10 September 2010 09:50

A man who became aggressive after garda stopped a car has a bit of a problem with authority, his solicitor explained.
Michael McDonagh of 32 McCormack Estate, Lower Charles Street, Castlebar, was before the local court following an incident at Carnacurry on August 23 last.
On that date, at 11.20 p.m., Garda John Melia stopped a car, from which the front seat passenger, McDonagh, exited in an aggressive manner. He said, 'You are too late. I threw it out the window'.
When told the garda would search him, McDonagh became aggressive.
The defendant, age 19, had no previous public order convictions.
Mr. Myles Gilvarry, solicitor, said he apologised and realised he had overstepped the mark. McDonagh had a bit of a problem with authority and resented the search.
Judge Mary Devins fined the defendant €100.

Litterlout fined €750

A littering incident at Cappagh, Castlebar, a popular area with walkers, has resulted in a €750 fine for a woman at the local court.
Judge Mary Devins heard how a warden for Mayo County Council found evidence relating to Teresa Sweeney of 61 Gilmartin Road, Tuam, at the location on February 8 last.
There was quite amount of rubbish, and there had been no reaction to a fine issued to her.
As well as the fine, Sweeney, who wasn't present in court or legally represented, was ordered to pay €500 towards the council's costs.

Man took cash from purse

Cash was taken from a purse left in the motor tax office in Castlebar, with the culprit handing the wallet back to its owner when she returned.
Michael Walsh of 13 The Cedars, Breaffy, Castlebar, who admitted the incident, was fined €200 at the local court.
The injured party was in the office on November 3 last when she went out to get her insurance details to fill a form. She left her purse behind her having taken it out of her bag.
CCTV showed Walsh reaching for the purse, exiting the tax office, returning and leaving it under a form before returning to his original position. When the woman returned he handed the purse to her.
When interviewed, Walsh, who has one previous conviction, admitted taking €100 from it.
Ms. Elizabeth Gallagher, defending solicitor, said her client had no explanation for committing the theft. He had €100 in court for the injured party.

McDonagh's – 'We run the town'

'We run this town' a man proclaimed after taking off his top and running up a street in Castlebar, the local court has heard.
Bernie McDonagh of 63 Lakeview, Castlebar, came to garda attention after they responded to a call about a disturbance at the Halfcut Bar on Rush Street on August 22 last at 7 p.m.
An intoxicated McDonagh was outside the bar, Garda Fergal O'Gara outlined, and he threatened to break the windows.
While attempting to arrest him, McDonagh managed to get away and run up the street, taking his jersey off. He started shouting, 'We are the travellers. We run this town. We are the McDonaghs. We run this town'.
The defendant, who had previous convictions, apologised the next day. He was drunk and accepted his actions weren't unacceptable.
Judge Mary Devins asked McDonagh if he believed that he ran the town. He said no, that he had been drunk. One man would not be able to run the town.
The judge noted he had said it in the plural. She fined him €300.

Fined €300 over fighting incident

A man who was fighting with another in the Castle Street car park in Castlebar ran off when a garda approached.
Gardaí saw a number of people in the car park at 3.17 a.m. on August 29 last, Inspector Martin Byrne told the local court.
A male took off his top and began fighting with another male. As a garda got closer the man, Damon Cunningham, 19 Fr. Meehan Place, Castlebar, took off running, but he was caught and arrested.
The 22-year-old had previous convictions. His solicitor, Ms. Linda Lenehan, said he couldn't give an explanation for why he was fighting. He didn't know who he was fighting with.
Judge Mary Devins fined Cunningham €300.

Chef had cannabis in his home

A chef had cannabis resin valued €208 in his home when gardaí carried out a search on November 13 last.
Chrestean Auberach, 23 McCormack Estate, Castlebar, admitted having the drugs for his own use when he appeared at the local court.
The defendant, 28, who was a chef in a local hotel until being laid off recently, had no previous convictions.
Judge Mary Devins directed him to pay €200 to Mayo Mountain Rescue by October 6, when the Probation Act will be applied.