Motorist told there’s to be ‘no more nonsense’ Bright start for the winter league at Wicklow Tennis

A MOTORIST has been warned there is to be ‘no more nonsense’ as his case was adjourned to next month at Arklow District Court.

Kestustis Gerdziunas (59) 27 Hawthorn Drive, Mountain Bay, Arklow, faced charges of failure to remain at the scene of a hit and run, failure to give appropriate information, failure to report and failure to stop at Hawthorn Drive, Mountain Bay, Arklow on July 16, 2017.

Judge Marie Keane said the contents of the probation and restorative justice reports were a cause for concern.

Gerdziunas was assisted to follow proceedings at the January 15 court sitting by a Russian interpreter.

Solicitor John O’Donovan told the court that the defendant had been offered an appointment with the probation service in Bray on December 6, 2019, and a further unknown date in Dublin. However, he does not speak English and was ‘in desperation’ because he can’t communicate by phone.

Gerdziunas also had transportation difficulties and was suffering from a number of health issues.

Mr O’Donovan asked for Gerdziunas to be given another opportunity, saying he had had ‘strong words’ with the defendant. He requested an appointment in the Arklow area.

Judge Marie Keane said this had been a ‘horrendous road accident’ where the defendant had left the scene. She noted that the probation service had contacted his neighbour to given details of appointments.

‘You can’t be looking for probation to do house calls,’ Judge Keane said.

Mr O’Donovan said Gerdziunas is remorseful and accepts his guilt for the incident.

Judge Keane said that ‘cuts no ice’ as the incident had left ‘massive debris on the road’ and there was an ‘appalling history’ here.

The probation officer explained that appointments had been offered, but that a first appointment always took place in their office for health and safety reasons. She said a meeting could be arranged in the Arklow Garda Station if permitted by gardai, but not at Gerdziunas’s home.

Through the interpreter, the defendant told the court he would agree to this.

Judge Keane asked gardaí to check with the inspector that he would permit the probation service to use the station for this meeting. A time and date for a meeting was agreed. Judge Keane granted the probation service’s request for a Russian interpreter for the meeting.

She said there is to be ‘no more nonsense’ and adjourned the case to February 12. Gerdziunas was released on continuing bail.

MEMBERS of Wicklow Tennis Club pass on congratulations to the two ladies and two men’s teams who won their first round matches of the Dublin Lawn Tennis Council Winter League last Sunday.

Parents of junior girls aged eleven plus arr reminded that the tennis and hot chocolate event has resumed and anyone wishing to participate can text Nessa on 087 9194590 by 8 p.m. on Thursday night.

If there is any Junior who is not currently participating in the Junior Box League and would like to join into the February Box League, please let Sinéad in the office know.

There will be two junior events coming up over the next few weeks. On Sunday, February 16 the Junior Committee is running a ‘Teenage - Boys Only’ event from 4.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m.. On Saturday, February 22 there will be a ‘Teen Tennis’ social followed by pizza, all standards and levels welcome.

Details of both will be circulated nearer the dates of each event.

For information on membership or any other tennis matters please email info@wicklowtennisclub.com or call club administrator Sinéad Nolan on 085 1156051.