Noisy accused claims to have ‘de-registered from the State’

THE defendant in a relatively minor drugs case made a noisy impression at the courthouse in Ardcavan.

Christopher Cussen (33) from Ballymacoonogue, The Ballagh was due to face a charge alleging possession of €30 worth of cannabis on November 19 last year.

Before the case was called the defendant could clearly be heard in the foyer declaring: ‘I think there’s contractions there’ and then ‘Christopher Cussen is going because his wife is pregnant’.

However, the noises continued, prompting Judge Gerard Haughton to request a garda to close the door as he attempted to make progress with other business.

At one stage the judge offered to deal with the case early but the 34-year-old defendant proved reluctant to enter the courtroom.

Eventually, he did appear after the lunch break, approaching the bench as he declared: ‘My wife is making me come in here.’

He said he had ‘de-registered from the State’ and declined to enter a plea to the charge brought by Garda Sergeant Brendan Moore.

He nevertheless indicated that he had not hurt, harmed or injured anyone, adding that he needed a statements order.

He insisted that the sergeant had sent an armed response unit to his home.

The case was adjourned to January 23 with the accused responding: ‘I’ll let you know if I can make it.’

He informed those present of his view that that Judge Haughton was ‘a bad judge’ and departed from the courtroom saying ‘alright, bud’ allowing the session to resume in a more routine manner.