Man narrowly avoids bench warrant after late arrival at Mayo court

A Castlebar man was almost the subject of a bench warrant after failing to appear on time at Castlebar District Court, blaming a late bus from Callow.

John Joe Hopkins, 61 Rowan Drive, Castlebar, faces charges of alleged criminal damage and burglary following incidents on April 12, 2024.

The charges relate to the Mayo County Council yard on Kilmaine Road, Ballinrobe; Cornmarket, Ballinrobe; and the HSE health centre, also on Kilmaine Road, Ballinrobe, all on the same date.

When the case was first called, Hopkins was not present. Sergeant Fiona Farrell told the court he had a significant number of previous convictions.

Asked by Judge Vincent Deane what she wanted to do, Sergeant Farrell said she was seeking a bench warrant.

Hopkins arrived shortly afterwards. Asked by Judge Deane what had made him so late, he said the bus from Callow, Swinford, had been delayed.

The court heard that the DPP had consented to Hopkins being sent forward on a signed plea.

His solicitor, Cathy McDarby, was not present due to the ongoing legal aid strike, and the matter was put back for the book of evidence.

Judge Deane explained the options directly to Hopkins: if his solicitor wished to proceed by way of signed plea, she could write to the state solicitor; otherwise, he would receive a book of evidence and the case would go to the Circuit Court.

The judge stressed he was not Hopkins's solicitor and did not want Ms. McDarby to think he was offering legal advice.

Hopkins replied that he would "look it up on AI anyway."

* Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.