DISTRICT COURT ROUND-UP Two-year ban for motorist who was drink driving
From our reporter at Sligo Courthouse
Judge left with no alternative but to jail man
A 24-year-old man who was up before Sligo District Court on a raft of multiple theft charges has been sent to prison.
John Sweeney of Beechlawn, Maugheraboy, pleaded to the theft of a Soul Cal & Co jacket worth €65 from Sports Direct; two bottles of Smirnoff Ice vodka worth €66 from Tesco; one Smirnoff Ice vodka bottle worth €33 from Tesco and a can of Bulmer’s cider worth €1.30 from Tesco.
The offences took place between February 27 of this year to March 11 earlier this month.
He also pleaded guilty to being in possession of a knife when he was searched at Sligo Garda station on March 11 after he had been arrested for the theft of the jacket.
The Court also heard a guilty plea of criminal damage that went back to March 10 earlier this month when, after being arrested, he urinated in the cell compartment of a Garda van after officers found him to be intoxicated on the street.
He was also arrested on the day of the hearing (March 21) on a new charge relating to drug possession where Garda discovered €300 of cannabis on his person.
Sgt Derek Butler disclosed to the Court that Sweeney had 61 previous convictions.
Sweeney was called to the witness box and he told the Court that he has “a chronic addiction to alcohol. I was in the throes of alcoholism when I committed these offences. I need treatment and I want to get it”.
Defending solicitor, Tom MacSharry, told the Court that his client “accepts full responsibility”. He added that Sweeney is “one of the most chronic alcohol addicts that I’ve come across” before concluding by asking the court for leniency.
Judge Deirdre Gearty said: “I don’t accept that every effort has been made by the defendant. He has an appalling record of previous convictions and everything seems to be drink-related. I’ve no alternative but to impose a custodial sentence.”
Sweeney was sentenced to 12 months in prison.
A 23-year-old drunk-driver has been disqualified from driving for two years.
Nathan Mongan of Station Lane, Cavan town, pleaded guilty at Sligo District Court to driving with excess alcohol on breath.
Sgt Derek Butler told the Court that on March 2, 2022 at 1.05am, a Vauxhall Astra was stopped by Garda in Sligo town. A breath test was administer on the driver – Mongan – which recorded a reading of 63mg over 100ml.
It was disclosed that Mongan had two previous convictions – one of which was for dangerous driving.
Defending solicitor, Tom MacSharry, asked the Court to take into account his client’s co-operation with the Probation Service, his completion of a Prosocial driving course and stated that the defendant “realises the seriousness of this offence”.
Judge Deirdre Gearty said: “A Prosocial course is something that people should be doing before they take their driving test. I am fining Mr Mongan €250 and disqualifying him from driving for two years.
Driving ban and hefty fine for motorist No show defendant received ban and fine
A Fermanagh man who did not show up for his court hearing has received a lengthy driving ban and a four-figure fine.
Liam Magee, 22, of Loughside Road, Garrison, Co. Fermanagh, had been due to attend Sligo District Court to answer charges of driving without insurance, driving without a licence and failure to signal a turning manoeuvre.
The case proceeded in Magee’s absence where Sgt Derek Butler told the Court that on April 6, 2023 at 2.35pm, a Volkswagen Golf vehicle was seen by Garda in Sligo town failing to indicate when turning into John Street.
Magee, who was driving the vehicle, was asked for his insurance certificate and driver’s licence. He said he didn’t have them on him and was told to produce them within 10 days at the nearest Garda station to his home address – in this case, Ballyshannon.
Ballyshannon Garda Station confirmed that Magee had failed to do so.
It was disclosed to the Court that Magee had no previous convictions.
Judge Deirdre Gearty disqualified Magee from driving for two years and handed down fines totalling €1,000.
A Tipperary man has been given a driving ban and a hefty fine.
David Brodecki, 39, of Castlegreen Avenue, Cashel, Co. Tipperary, pleaded guilty at Sligo District Court to driving without insurance and driving without a licence.
Sgt Derek Butler told the Court that on January 27 of this year at 4.46pm, Garda stopped a vehicle driven by the defendant at Carrowroe for speeding.
The defendant did not have his insurance certificate or his driver’s licence and was told to produce these documents at a Garda station within 10 days. He did not.
It was disclosed that Brodecki had five previous convictions.
Judge Deirdre Gearty disqualified Brodecki from driving for two years and handed out fines totalling €750.
“You’re on a hiding to nothing,” warns Judge
A 24-year-old man fined for possessing cocaine has been fined.
James Carroll of Ballygawley pleaded guilty at Sligo District Court to possession of a substance.
Sgt Derek Butler told the Court that on March 24, 2023 at 4.50am, Garda officers pulled up at a stationary Vauxhall Corsa vehicle that had its lights on.
The Garda saw a white powdery substance inside the car and a rolled-up €10 note nearby. Upon searching the defendant, Garda found a quantity of cocaine inside his pocket.
Defending solicitor, John Anderson, told the Court that he has informed his client that “cocaine is illegal” and that Carroll assures the Court that he won’t be back again as he understands the seriousness of the offence.
Judge Deirdre Gearty said: “You’re on a hiding to nothing with drug-taking on that level Mr Carroll.”
Carroll was instructed to make a €300 donation to the charity, Social Groundforce.
Man, 46, fined for driving without insurance
A 46-year-old man has been fined for driving without insurance
Noel Keenan of Lislea, Ballymote, pleaded guilty to the offence at Sligo District Court.
Sgt Derek Butler told the Court that on March 23, 2023 at 6.45pm, a Garda checkpoint saw a vehicle drive past them without slowing down. When the vehicle slowed down and pulled over, a check revealed the driver, Keenan, to not be insured.
Judge Deirdre Gearty fined
Keenan €250.
Couple fined after over-excited dog bit stranger
A couple whose pet dog got over-excited towards a stranger which led to the latter receiving a bite have been fined.
Mark Gillgarro, 56, and Michelle Gillgarro, 57, both of Bricklieve, Castlebaldwin, both pleaded guilty at Sligo District Court to charges of being in charge of an uncontrolled dog.
Sgt Derek Butler told the Court that on December 15, 2022 at 10am, the couple were out on a walk with their dog – who was on a lead – before the dog saw the injured party.
The dog jumped up and the injured party received a bite on their back. The injured party told Garda officers that the person with the dog – Mark Gillgarro – did nothing to stop it.
Sgt Butler added that the injured party received a tetanus injection after the incident.
Defending solicitor, Elaine Coghill, told the Court that the 18-month-old dog had been jogging with her clients and was just “very excitable”. She added that her clients have tried to offer compensation to the injured party but the no avail with there being an ongoing civil matter in relation to this.
Judge Deirdre Gearty fined Mr & Mrs Gillgarro €200.