DISTRICT COURT ROUND-UP
From our reporter at Sligo Courthouse
Men sent to Circuit Court on violent disorder charges
Three men have been returned, at Sligo District Court, for trial to the next sitting of Sligo Circuit Court on charges of violent disorder.
Thomas Barrett, 47, Ballysunaghan, Sooey, is charged with violent disorder in that he, with Gerard Pilkington and Kevin Muldoon, threatened to use unlawful violence which would cause a person to be in fear for their safety at Grattan Street, Ballymote, on December 23, 2019.
Kevin Muldoon, 48, Castleburn Ballymote, and Gerard Pilkington, 54, Kilshalvey, Gurteen, are facing identical charges.
Garda Paul Jennings gave evidence of serving the book of evidence on the three defendants.
Judge Kevin Kilrane returned the three for trial to Sligo Circuit Court on June 15.
Solicitor Gerry McGovern represented Thomas Barrett and Kevin Muldoon. Dara Callaghan represented Gerard Pilkington.
Woman, 22, had cannabis in town
A young Sligo woman who admitted having a small amount of cannabis herb in the town has been given the Probation Act, at the district court. Aine Walsh, 22, Connolly Street, Sligo, admitted the offence that happened at that location on May 29 last year. She had no previous convictions.
Man had ‘cocktail of drugs’ and must come up with €300
A young Sligo resident who had a “cocktail of drugs” has been told to come up with €300 in June when he will get the Probation Act if there are no similar allegations against him.
Twenty-two-year-old Ciaran Gethins, 1 Connolly Street, Sligo, pleaded guilty to possession of €100 of cannabis, €50 of cocaine and €10 of alprazolam at that location on
May 29 last year.
Sergeant Derek Butler told the court that the defendant, who was a chef, made full admissions.
The defendant, who was self- represented, told the court it was a “complete lack of judgment – I don’t do it any more and I am ashamed”. Judge Kevin Kilrane said the defendant had quite a cocktail.
The defendant said he was “hanging around with the wrong crowd” and this was a wake-up call.
The Donegal native said he wanted to go to catering college in Killybegs in Donegal.
Judge Kilrane said he was adjourning the case to June 24 for the defendant to have €300 for White Oaks. The Probation Act would be applied if he had not no further allegations against him.
Having MDMA was a ‘silly mistake’
A young Glencar man has been given the Probation Act after he was caught with MDMA drugs in
Sligo. Joseph Kerrigan, Gortnagregory, Glencar, admitted having €15 of MDMA at Glencarrig Estate, Balliode, on February 19. The defendant, who was self-represented, told the court that it was a “silly mistake” and would not happen again. The defendant had no previous convictions.
Probation Act for man, 22, who has 74 convictions
A Sligo man who pleaded guilty to a charge of intoxication has been given the benefit of the Probation Act. Kevin Flynn, 22, Racecourse View, Cranmore, pleaded guilty to an offence that happened at Knox Park, Ballisodare, on February 28 last.
The court heard the defendant had 74 previous convictions, the last one in 2015.
Defence solicitor Tom MacSharry said his client had a track record but had not been in court for a long time. He had an argument with his partner, left the house and drank too much and was arrested for his safety. Judge Kevin Kilraen noted that the defendant had not been in court since 2015, and the court applied the Probation Act.
Bench warrant is issued for arrest of Gurteen woman
A bench warrant has been issued for the arrest of a Gurteen woman who is facing a number of road traffic charges.
Korena O’Hara, Cuilmore, Gurteen, 41, is charged with resisting arrest, drunk driving, driving with no insurance or licence, failing to produce these documents and having no learner permit at Cuilmore on January 10, 2020.
Garda John Carroll told the court that he followed a car that had turned sharply into the left on the road between Tubbercurry and Gurteen on the date in question.
It drove up a small country road “on the wrong side of the road”. Garda Carroll put on the siren and the blue flashing lights and signalled the other car to stop.
That vehicle continued on for about 1km and then drove into the vicinity of a house.
The driver refused to give her name when questioned by the garda. There was a strong smell of alcohol from her breath and she was unsteady on her feet.
She walked away from the garda who followed her. He told her that he was arresting her on suspicion of drunk driving.
When arrested, the defendant tried to leave the scene and tried to kick out when the garda placed her in the patrol car. At one stage she jumped out between the two front seats.
The defendant had to be forcibly restrained by holding her hand. Garda Carroll called for assistance and the defendant was brought to Ballymote Garda Station by a garda van. She initially refused to give her name but later co-operated, the court heard.
The defendant later gave a urine sample which showed a concentration of 144 mls of alcohol.
Judge Kevin Kilrane said these were all serious matters and a warrant was issued for her arrest.
Leitrim man, 22, had ketamine drug
A young Leitrim man who was found in possession of the ketamine drug has been given the Probation Act at Sligo District Court. Niall McGovern, 22, from Lissacan, Ballinamore, pleaded guilty to the offence that happened at Ballinode on February 18 last. The defendant had no previous convictions.
Young man admits he had cannabis
A young Sligo man who was caught with €100 of cannabis herb has been given the benefit of the Probation Act at the district court.
Glen O’Connor of Markievicz Heights, pleaded guilty to the offence that happened on May 28 last year at Cranmore Road.
The defendant, who was represented by solicitor Tom MacSharry, had no previous convictions.