Community service not done

A long-standing community service order remained incomplete, probation officer Seamus Halpenny told the District Court.

Judge Donnchadh Ó Buachalla, now retired, made out the order requiring Esther Cash, 19 Seaview, Ardamine, to carry out to carry out 160 hours work on conviction for a motor insurance offence, in lieu of two months in prison.

In court on July 7, Mr Halpenny reported to Judge Timothy Lucey that so far only 36 hours had been logged.

She had attended for work twice since the matter was last before the court in February.

Solicitor David Tarrant passed up to the judge a letter from his absent client, which he had received from Ms Cash’s sister. ‘I don’t do private letters,’ was the judge’s reaction, suggesting that Mr Tarrant should read it.

The solicitor said that his client had medical difficulties and mentioned a bowel complaint. Ms Cash wanted a female probation officer assigned to her, the court was told.

‘No,’ said the judge who went on to suggest: ‘It might be easier to do the two months.’

Mr Tarrant did not think this was a good idea, pointing out that the woman has five or six children. He added that Ms Cash’s partner had been in prison for quite a long time.

The matter was adjourned to October 6 as the probation officer expressed hope that the defendant’s health will clear up.