DISTRICT COURT ROUND-UP
From our reporter at Sligo Courthouse
Postponement due to intoxicated defendant
A Sligo man’s Court hearing was postponed until next month due to the defendant turning up intoxicated.
Lee Young, 42, of Garavogue Villas, Sligo, was due at Sligo District Court to face charges of two counts of theft and one count of possession of drugs.
The theft charges relate to a €25 coaster holder being stolen from the Next store with a Harper Gem sculpture worth €55 also appearing on the charge sheet.
However, when Young’s case was called, a member of the Gardaí told the court that the defendant was downstairs in the holding cells due to him being in a state of intoxication and was not fit to appear before the Court.
Young’s solicitor, John Anderson, told the Court that he had seen his client earlier in the morning and was not intoxicated at that point.
The Probation Officer also added that Young had always turned up for his meetings with her and was always sober.
She added that Young had fully co-operated with his community service.
Judge Patricia Cronin adjourned the case for finalisation for April 4.
June date for drugs possession sentencing
A 35-year-old man will have to wait three months to find out his fate.
Sammie Garvey of Jinks Avenue, Sligo, pleaded guilty at Sligo District Court to possession of drugs (cocaine).
Sgt Derek Butler told the Court that on January 7, 2023 at 9.45pm, Garda stopped Garvey and upon stating their intention to search him, the defendant handed over a quantity of cocaine with a street value of €50.
It was disclosed to the Court that Garvey had three previous convictions.
Defending solicitor, Tom MacSharry, told the Court that his client had been “fully co-operative” and that this incident is “a watershed moment” for Garvey who is now “clean and sober”.
However, Judge Patricia Cronin said it was a concern to the Court was that Garvey was in Court on a separate matter 13 days before this offence took place.
Judge Cronin adjourned sentencing to June 6 in lieu of a probation report.
Cannabis possession proves to be costly
A 36-year-old man has been fined after pleading guilty to possession of €30 worth of cannabis.
Jamie Kilgallon of St Edward’s Terrace appeared at Sligo District Court. It was revealed that he had 32 previous convictions.
Defending solicitor, John Anderson, appealed to the court for his client to be fined instead of receiving a custodial sentence.
Judge Patricia Cronin fined Kilgallon €300.
Driver made “foolish decision” but avoids ban
A 26-year-old man who “made the foolish decision to drive” has escaped a driving ban.
Brandon Currie of The Cottage, Rathscanlon, Tubbercurry, appeared at Sligo District Court charged with driving without a driver’s licence and driving without insurance.
Sgt Derek Butler told the Court that at 9am on May 5, 2023, a Hyundai Coupe driven by the defendant was stopped by Garda.
Currie had no certificate of insurance and nor did he have a driver’s licence on him.
He was told to produce both documents at a Garda station within 10 days – Currie failed to do so.
It was disclosed that the defendant only held a provisional licence.
Defending solicitor, John Anderson, said that his client’s partner needed to get to hospital and was not well enough to drive themselves. He then “took the foolish decision to drive and he accepts that”.
Judge Patricia Cronin told Currie that she would be striking out the insurance charge as he “cannot produce what you don’t have” but warned that in future, he “needs to be covered” when he drives.
In relation to the driving licence charge, Judge Cronin told Currie: “I won’t disqualify you but place five points on your licence. As it’s a provisional licence, you are one point away from a disqualification.”
Suspended sentence for heroin overdose
A 41-year-old man who locked himself in a disabled toilet at the Johnston Court shopping centre and overdosed on heroin has avoided prison.
Bernard Alcorn of Leck Cottages, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, pleaded guilty at Sligo District Court to possession of drugs.
Sgt Derek Butler told the court that on November 23, 2020 at 3.30pm, Garda received a report from Johnston Court Shopping Centre that someone was locked in the disabled toilet.
A locksmith was sent for and, when the door was finally opened at 3.54pm, they found Alcorn with his arm in a tourniquet and a needled syringe nearby.
It was later established that he had injected €40 of heroin into his body.
He was taken to Sligo University Hospital at 4pm.
It was disclosed to the Court that Alcorn had 87 previous convictions with 15 of those drug-related with seven of those involving heroin.
Defending solicitor, John Anderson, told the Court that since the incident four years ago, his client has been “free of all substances” and that becoming a father “has altered his life”.
He asked the Court not to impose a custodial sentence.
Judge Patricia Cronin said she took into account the fact that Alcorn has been drug-free for some time now and gave him a four month sentence to be suspended for two years.
A bail bond of €200 was also imposed with the condition that Alcorn be intoxicant-free.
Probation act for possession of drugs
A Co. Leitrim man was put on probation after pleading guilty to possession of drugs.
Jacob Ripley, 25, of Magurk, Leckawn, appeared at Sligo District Court.
Sgt Derek Butler told the Court that on March 17, 2023, Ripley was caught in possession of €30 of MDMA.
Defending solicitor, John Anderson, told the Court that he has made it clear to his client that “drugs are illegal in this country and he now understands that”.
Mr Anderson added that Ripley had brought to Court €300 to be given to charity.
It was disclosed that the defendant had one previous conviction which was for drug-driving.
Judge Patricia Cronin told Ripley: “I am applying the Probation Act here. I am given you an opportunity. Come back to this Court again under similar charges and you will be dealt with.”
Ballymote man warned – “No second chances”
A 20-year-old man has been warned he is on his final chance after pleading guilty to theft.
Patrick Sweeney of Tower Hill, Ballymote, appeared at Sligo District Court.
Sgt Derek Butler told the Court that on October 23, 2022, Sweeney took items to the value of €15 from the SuperValu store in Tubbercurry.
Defending solicitor, John Anderson, told the Court that his client was “getting his life together”. He added that he has offered to pay SuperValu but the store has refused to accept the money. He asked the Court if the money could be paid to a charity instead.
Judge Patricia Cronin said she was directing the money to be paid to SuperValu. She then applied the Probation Act to Sweeney and warned him that “there won’t be a second chance”.
Fine issued to woman for no insurance
A 35-year-old was fined but allowed to retain her driver’s licence.
Paula Lopes of Mill Falls, Collooney, pleaded guilty at Sligo District Court to driving without insurance.
Sgt Derek Butler told the Court that on May 21, 2023, Garda attended a road traffic accident at Ballymote that involved a two-vehicle crash on the N17 road.
One of the drivers involved was Lopes where a check found she had no motor vehicle insurance.
Defending solicitor, Tom MacSharry, asked the Court that there be no disqualification from driving as his client is “trying to improve her lot and knows how important it is to have insurance”.
Judge Patricia Cronin said she would not be disqualifying Lopes but instead would be handing down a fine of €250.