‘You’re all gob and gamese’

A BALLYDUFF man who failed to pay a contribution to the district court poor box in the county was told he was ‘all gob and gamese’ by a judge as he attempted to explain that he would have the money in court if given more time to pay up.

Jeff Connolly, 7 Benmore Estate, Ballyduff, appeared before Judge James O’Connor at Listowel District Court on Thursday in relation to charges arising from 2015 for stealing power tools worth €1,350 from neighbours.

Solicitor Pat Enright told the Judge that there ‘wasn’t a penny’ in court for the poor box contribution, explaining that his client had suffered with tragedy recently among other issues.

However, he said his client had at least secured the prospect of work. Addressing Mr Connolly, Mr Enright asked: “Do you accept you did wrong by your neighbours in taking their items?”

“100 per cent,” Mr Connolly replied. He said he was to start work in Adare this week.

“If I do get the opportunity I will come up the money,” a contrite-sounding Mr Connolly told the court.

“You’re all talk,” the Judge replied, adding: “Four months have gone by and there isn’t €5 in court. Even a child with a few shillings in a piggy bank would do better.

“You are all gob and gamese and full of it. I will put it back but I won’t be wasting any more time on you,” Judge O’Connor warned Mr Connolly, adjouring the case one last time for payment until later in the year.