DISTRICT COURT

ROUND- UP

Trespasser damaged window

A 58 year old man who pleaded guilty to trespass and damaging a window has been given more time to gather compensation money for his victim.

Michael Brady, of St Edward’s Terrace appeared before the District Court last week having previously pleaded guilty to trespass and criminal damage charges at 39 Caltragh Crescent, Sligo on January 17th.

Brady also pleaded guilty to having a claw hammer in the course of a burglary on the same occasion.

His defence solicitor, Mr Tom MacSharry told Judge Kevin Kilrane that the value of the damage to a window was ¤ 124.

Judge Kilrane remanded Brady on continuing bail to March 10th to allow him more time to gather some compensation money.

Man wore a soaked nappy

A man found wearing a “soaked” nappy in public while under a four month suspended prison sentence has been sent to jail for a week while a judge decides what to do with him.

54 year- old Brendan Casey of Citygate, Mail Coach Road, Sligo, appeared in court last week where six public order charges were put to him from three separate incidents.

Inspector Donal Sweeney told the court that on December 12th last, Gardaí saw Casey in the middle of the road on Thomas Street “obstructing traffic.”

He was asked to move on but refused. “He was intoxicated and became extremely abusive” said the Inspector.

A few days later on December 17th at 4am Gardaí were called to the A& E Department of Sligo University Hospital after Casey refused to leave.

“Brendan Casey was brought by ambulance to A& E with a cut to his elbow,” said Inspector Sweeney.

He said Casey was abusive to staff and in particular to a female patient with special needs who was in the bed next to him. She became upset at his behaviour. He said Casey urinated on his clothes, “was asked to get dressed and refused to do so.”

On the same date, Gardaí found Casey outside Harry’s Bar on High Street with his trousers around his ankles, wearing a nappy “soaked in urine.”

“An amicable resolution failed and Gardaí were left with no choice but to arrest him,” said the Inspector.

The court heard that Casey was given a four month suspended sentence for damaging property last October.

Defence solicitor Mr Gerard McGovern said Casey was assaulted over two years ago and made a complaint to Gardaí but no one was ever prosecuted.

He said the incident “took over his whole life.” “He contacted politicians, the Garda Ombudsman, he’s a decent man but a man lost in alcohol,” said Mr McGovern.

He said his client was dry at the moment but was “obsessed with what happened to him.”

“He just cannot put it to bed. He feels let down by society. He went and made a statement about it and nothing happened,” he told Judge Kevin Kilrane.

Taking the witness stand, Casey said “I want it sorted what happened to me.”

“On 16th June 2012 - that’s three years ago. I never wanted to go down this road but...” he said.

“Can you not put it behind you?” asked his solicitor. “Mentally, I can’t,” replied Casey. “I spent three days in the house, I was afraid to go out. They know who did it,” he said.

“I rang the station more times. I need counselling for victim impact,” he said.

He told the judge he was on medication for his heartbeat, blood thiners and pain killers for his nerves.

“All I wanted was a phone call to say this man isn’t going to court,” he said.

“It’s just swept under the carpet and turned a blind eye,” he added.

Judge Kilrane said Casey was given a suspended sentence in October and was “up and at it again” two months later in a “very nasty way.”

“He was brought into hospital, caused a complete and utter nuisance, urinates on himself - I won’t even go through it as it’s so disgusting,” he said.

“He blames it on an alleged assault and the Gardaí. I don’t know how he can advance his case by abusing staff in the hospital, whatever about complaining about the Gardaí,” said the judge.

“I’m not suggesting that the Gardaí were remiss in their investigations but down in the hospital he creates worse than a nuisance,” he said.

Judge Kilrane decided to remand Casey in custody for a week to “consider what we’re dealing with.”

“Has he a mental problem or is he using something that happened three years ago as an excuse and trading on it?” he said.

He described the charges as “more than stupid, just nasty”.

He sent Casey to Castlerea Prison fora week to this Thursday to consider whether he’d activate the four month suspended sentence or not.

“This man needs a serious shakeup,” he added, as Casey was led out.

Couldn’t find station door

A Ballymote man has been convicted and fined for being drunk in public.

Kyle Donovan ( 30) of Carrownanty, Ballymote, was charged with being intoxicated in public at the same address on January 16th.

Inspector Donal Sweeney said Gardaí were on duty in Ballymote Garda station at 1.45am when Donovan arrived at the station “disorientated” and “incoherent.”

“He fell over after he was unable to locate the door,” said the inspector.

He said Donovan was brought home by Gardaí but became argumentative with his partner arriving at his home.

The court heard the accused has two previous convictions for Public Order offences and unlawful possession of drugs in 2013.

Mr Gerard McGovern, defending, said Donovan had been in trouble a few years ago but “thought he had changed his ways.”

Judge Kilrane convicted Donovan and fined him ¤ 200 for being drunk in public.

Badweather excuse“not great”

A 43 year old woman who failed to co- operate fully with the Probation Services because “the weather was bad” has been given one more month to engage with them.

Amanda Farrell of Stonewater, Waterlane, Sligo, had previously pleaded guilty to stealing a ¤ 30 tracksuit from Heaton’s, Castle Street on August 28th 2014.

She was also charged with Public Order offences at St Joseph’s Terrace on January 7th 2015.

A Probation Report was handed into court last week, which reported Farrell’s co- operation as “at best minimal” and “sporadic”.

It said her failure to meet the Probation Services after a court request did “not augur well for the future” and said Farrell had “disengaged” from them.

“What do you say to that?” Judge Kilrane asked her.

“I only go when I feel that I need to go,” said Farrell from the witness box.

She said she accepted she had a problem with alcohol but insisted she was “doing well now” and had been dry for four months.

“It’s not that I don’t want to do it but the weather always bad,” she told the Judge. “That’s your excuse?” said the judge. “It’s not great but the weather is always bad,” said Farrell.

Judge Kilrane gave her one more month to engage with the Probation Services and remanded her on continuing bail to March 10th.

Ballygawley theft accused to be tried

A man has been sent forward to the Circuit Criminal Court, accused with trespass and theft at a Ballygawley property.

James Flynn ( 29) of Botanic Avenue, Belfast, is charged with entering a building at Mountain Foot Road, Ballygawley on February 27th 2015 and committing theft.

State solicitor for Sligo Mr Hugh Sheridan applied for Flynn to be sent to the next sittings of Sligo Circuit Criminal Court on April 19th at 10am.

Judge Kilrane gave Flynn his alibi warning and remanded him on bail to the Circuit Court in April.

Two handbag snatchers join local charities

Two students who were ordered to carry out community service in lieu of a conviction for stealing a woman’s handbag from a pub have signed up to two local charities.

Owain Wingrove ( 22) of Arus na hAbhainn, Banada, Tourlestrane, Sligo and Kevin Griffin ( 23) of Lassabee, Castlemaine, Kerry, both appeared before Judge Kilrane last week to prove they had chosen a charity each.

Both had been charged in connection with the theft of a woman’s handbag containing valuables worth ¤ 600 from the Garavogue Bar on Stephen Street last December 2nd - Wingrove was charged with the theft while Griffin was charged with possessing the stolen goods.

Mr Tom MacSharry, defending, said Griffin had signed up to be a volunteer with a charity shop in Sligo while Wingrove had signed up to Tubbercurry Tidy Towns as a volunteer for 12 months.

Judge Kilrane adjourned the case to April 28th to confirm they were engaging with the voluntary programmes as part of their community service in lieu of a conviction.

Shoplifter on Probation

A man who stole over ¤ 350 worth of goods from TK Maxx before Christmas has been put on Probation for a year.

Francis Johnson ( 46) of Rathbraughan, Ballytivnan, pleaded guilty to stealing the items from TK Maxx in Quayside Shopping Centre on three separate occasions.

On November 29th he stole a hip flask and children’s clothing worth ¤ 50.97. On December 3rd he stole three hats and an iPad screen protector worth ¤ 79.96.

A week later on December 10th he stole ladies perfume, a ladies watch, three bracelets, a gents wallet and children’s clothing totalling ¤ 225.91.

The court heard Johnson is dependant on his wife and does not receive any social welfare payments.

Taking the witness stand, Johnson said “I took all the stuff back.”

Inspector Donal Sweeney said Johnson was seen taking the iPad screen protector and the three hats on CCTV.

He said all of the items were recovered except for the iPad screen protector.

When asked by the judge where that was, Johnson replied: “I put it on my son’s iPad.”

Judge Kevin Kilrane said he would go along with the suggestion in the Probation Report and placed Johnson on Probation for a year on condition that he co- operate with their referrals to training and employment.

Son broke barring order

A 36 year old man who broke a barring order at his family home three times has been given the benefit of the Probation Act.

The court heard that Peter Kelly of Avondale, Ballytivnan and Shalamar, Finisklin, came before the court previously and the matter was put back to last week to monitor Kelly’s behaviour.

He was charged with contravening a barring order by entering the garden of 27 Avondale and refusing to leave last July 30th.

On October 20th Kelly was charged with banging on the front patio door, failing to leave when asked, roaring and shouting causing the family to become fearful of him.

Kelly was also charged with threatening and abusive behaviour on that occasion.

On November 15th Kelly contravened the barring order again by kicking the front porch door and constantly ringing the bell at the same address.

His solicitor Mr Gerard McGovern told Judge Kevin Kilrane that “things seem to be going well” for his client.

“He’s living in Shalamar. I have met him in the company of his father. This all stems from drinking in the family home,” he said.

Judge Kilrane gave Kelly the benefit of the Probation Act on all charges.

“You’re getting a chance, now take it,” he told Kelly.

Stole whiskey and beer

A man who stole whiskey and beer from a city centre garage and threatened to assault a family member has been given 200 hours of Community Service in lieu of prison.

Geoffrey McManus ( 31) of Langan Drive, Cranmore, Sligo was charged with contravening a safety order made on August 28th 2013 at 34 Langan Drive, Cranmore on July 11th 2015 by threatening to assault Mr Gerry McManus and putting him in fear.

McManus was charged with the same offence on August 11th 2015.

It was also alleged he stole a bottle of Powers Whiskey worth ¤ 16.99 and a bottle of Lomza beer worth ¤ 2.09 from McCormack’s Mace on Mail Coach Road on October 1st 2015.

Judge Kilrane ordered McManus to carry out 200 hours of Community Service in lieu of three months in prison on each charge.

Drink Driving accused

A man has appeared in court charged with drink driving.

Dillon Codd ( 24) of Rusheen Ard, Caltragh, Sligo, appeared before the District Court last week charged with alleged drink driving on the Second Sea Road, Sligo on December 21st 2015 with a blood alcohol reading of 81mgs/ 100mls.

Judge Kilrane remanded Codd on ¤ 300 non- cash bail to March 31st.

Prison for bus driver threat

A self- professed thief has been sentenced to one month in prison for threatening to burn down a bus driver’s home after he was refused permission to travel on a bus at Sligo bus station.

Joe McDonagh ( 30) of An Cussan, Lisbrack Road, Longford, was given a chance to apologise for his behaviour in court last week and avoid a conviction but he refused to do so.

McDonagh, who is currently serviing a prison sentence for a separate matter, was charged with threatening and abusive behaviour and assault at Sligo Bus Station on December 11th 2014.

Garda Kevin Brannick told the court that he attended the scene on that date and met bus driver Kevin Early.

“Was anybody marked with cuts or scapes?” asked defence solicitor Mr Gerard McGovern.

“There was a threat. My understanding is that the injured party was in fear that he’d be assaulted,” said Garda Brannick.

Mr Early took the witness stand and told the court that he was checking in passengers for the 6.30pm Sligo - Dub- lin route that evening when McDonagh approached with his coat nearly zipped up to his face.

He said he asked McDonagh if he had drink on him and he replied “I have no effing drink on me.” “I recognised when he spoke it was the same gentleman from a previous incident,” he said.

The witness said McDonagh was verbally abusive and he told security to ring the Gardaí.

The bus driver then claimed McDonagh said ‘ I know where you live. I know your house. I’ll burn your house’ and then “effed me out of it again.”

He also alleged McDonagh threatened to pour a cup of tea over him.

Mr McGovern asked Mr Early if he had some instructions from his employers at Bus Eireann not to allow his client to travel.

“No but he was zipped up,” said Mr Early. “It was a cold night,” said Mr McGovern. “There are many people released from prison and they all get given bus tickets and go about their business,” he added.

Judge Kilrane told McDonagh that if he were to apologise for verbally abusing the driver he would deal with it short of a conviction.

However McDonagh took the witness stand and insisted he had not threatened to burn the bus driver’s home.

“Kevin Early has a grudge against me. I never said that to that man. I’m not apologising for something that I didn’t do,” he told the Judge.

Mr Early returned to the witness box once more and said “I know what was said to me on that night.”

“Was it any business of yours what he had in his pocket? It turned out to be a bottle of coke. You were wrong,” Mr McGovern put to the bus driver.

“Yes, I asked him politely. When I recognised who he was, I said ‘ you won’t be travelling tonight’. Then he abused me. He said ‘ I’ll burn you with this cup of tea’,” said Mr Early.

McDonagh returned to the witness box once more and said Mr Early was “telling lies.”

“The man has a grudge against me because he thinks that I robbed his bus,” he told Judge Kilrane.

“Yes I am a thief but I didn’t rob that man’s bus. I would not say that to a person. I didn’t threaten to scald him or burn his family home,” he said.

McDonagh admitted that he was upset but insisted he was “not going to get into the box and tell f** king lies.” “Easy now,” warned the judge. Inspector Donal Sweeney put it to McDonagh that he had been previousl y arrested in Longford in connection with the theft of a woman’s purse on a bus.

“Do you not think it’s reasonable that he questioned you in relation to that?” he put to McDonagh.

“At the end of the day, I’m the lowest of the low in your eyes. This man said I threatened to burn his house - it’s lies,” replied McDonagh.

Judge Kilrane convicted him and was told he has 73 previous convictions.

However the judge said he believed it was “inappropriate” and “unreasonable” that McDonagh would be denied access that day just because of something that happened previously.

“I draw a distinction between someone who was violent and one of a person suspected of stealing a purse,” he told the court. He said he knew bus drivers had a difficult job to do but McDonagh was “posing no threat.”

“It’s a major insult. All of us in the same situation - we might indeed resort to a few four letter words,” he said.

The judge did believe however that McDonagh threatened to burn the bus driver’s house “in a fit of ill- temper” and so sentenced him to one month in prison.

McDonagh said “the conductors in Longford told this man not to let me on the bus. It’s not just him. There’s a whole group of them.”

The judge struck out the assault charge against McDonagh.