Judge labels failure to pay compensation as ‘ridiculous’

ALMOST four years after a Killorglin man was ordered to pay compensation for failing to stop and stay at the scene of a road traffic accident, the injured party still hasn’t received a cent of the cash promised.

In 2011, James O’Connor Jnr (24), previously of 43 An Bhainseach and currently listed at 31 More Road, London, had agreed to pay €2,600 to the driver of a separate vehicle involved in the incident at Whitefield, Beaufort, on November 10, 2009.

Despite several court appearances, he has yet to hand over the cash

At Killorglin District Court on Thursday, solicitor Padraig O’Connell said his client was in gainful employment in England for two-and-a-half years and had put some savings together which he would hand over at the July court.

“Are you saying nothing has happened in four years, the reality is that there are injured parties out there. That’s just ridiculous,” Judge James O’Connor remarked.

Mr O’Connell said that the defendant had revitalised and reinvigorated himself after moving to England and also had a child to care for.

The court also heard of Mr O’Connor’s alleged involvement in a late night brawl in Killorglin on December 20, following which he was charged with criminal damage to The Dáil Bar on Upper Bridge Street, intoxication in a public place and with threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour.

“So he had enough money for drink on that occasion,” Judge James O’Connor stated, adding: “This fella started out four years ago and let everyone go to hell.

He then increased the compensation due by €400 to €3,000 and ordered that the cash be paid in full by the July sitting of Killorglin District Court.

Mr O’Connor was also convicted for driving without insurance on two occasions in 2011 - at Dromavalla, Killorglin, on April 1, and at Church Street, Milltown, on November 5. He was banned from driving for two years and fined €500 for the offences.

He also agreed to donate a further €500 to the court poor box relating to a charge of possession of cannabis at An Tuarin Linn on October 8, 2011.