Rory Grant (48) pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of an intoxicant and having no insurance on May 20, 2013, at Chieftain's Drive in Balbriggan. Judge Patrick Clyne sentenced him to four months, suspended for two years, for the driving offence, and a concurrent four-month sentence, suspended for two years, for the insurance offence. Grant was also disqualified from driving for four years. Stephen O'Shaughnessy (23) pleaded guilty to trespass, theft of alcohol, and handling stolen property. The matter was adjourned until May 1st, with the judge requiring O'Shaughnessy to cooperate with Probation Services and provide €376 in compensation. Sean Lynch (26) is alleged to have assaulted a person by sticking a lit cigarette in their eye at Home Nightclub in Balbriggan on July 31, 2011. He was remanded on continuing bail, and the case was adjourned until March 27th. Billy Atete (44) pleaded guilty to failing to provide a breath sample at Balbriggan Garda Station on February 2. He was fined €250 and disqualified from driving for four years.
Daniel O'Neill, 21, was heard at Balbriggan District Court for throwing eggs at the Balbriggan Post Office on 8 February, causing criminal damage, and for throwing a rock through a glass window at Whiteheart Inn on 22 February, smashing the window and breaking a glass candlestick holder. He has six previous convictions. Judge Patrick Clyne told him to 'change his short pants into long pants', noting his stable relationship and 13‑month‑old son, and that he must address his anger. The judge ordered a Probation & Welfare Report and remanded him on continuing bail to appear again on 1 May.
Swords District Court heard five matters. Henry Afeni (49) pleaded guilty to making a gain or causing loss by deception at TK Max in Swords. Judge Patrick Clyne suspended a five-month sentence for two years and proposed 100 hours of community service, adjourning the case until April 28 for a Probation Report. Debra Maguire (44) pleaded not guilty to handling stolen goods but was found guilty; the court ordered a Probation & Welfare report and adjourned sentencing until April 28. Robert Trnovec (38) pleaded guilty to drink driving and received a two-year disqualification and a €250 fine. Anne-Marie McGill (50) pleaded guilty to theft of a cardigan; the judge applied the Probation Act. Declan Fitzsimons (34) pleaded guilty to using threatening and abusive behaviour; the judge proposed a €500 charitable donation to avoid a conviction, with a default fine of €500, and set a deadline of April 28.
In Balbriggan District Court, Philip Dunne (28) of Woodland Court, Rush, faced charges of failing to give a blood sample, criminal damage, and dangerous driving on November 14th. His case was adjourned until March 27th following a disclosure order request by his solicitor, Fiona Darcy. Aaron Conway (20) of Aghaneen Park, Dundalk, pleaded guilty to possession of counterfeit cigarettes for sale without excise duty. His case was struck out after he made a €300 charitable donation to Balbriggan St Vincent De Paul Society. Mark Duignam (37) of Palmer Court, Rush, had his four-month suspended sentence activated after breaching bail conditions. He was previously convicted in May 2013 for theft of €57 worth of groceries from Supervalu in Lusk. Judge Coughlan sentenced him to four months in prison. Noel Orange (30) of Reynoldstown, The Naul, was charged with refusing to give a blood sample on January 31st. His case was adjourned for hearing, with a remand on continuing bail to appear before Swords District Court on March 10th. William O'Gorman (39) of Baron's Hall House, Balbriggan, was charged with theft of a track suit top from St Vincent de Paul on February 14th. His case was remanded on continuing bail until March 28th, with free legal aid granted. Balbriggan Sunday Market was an applicant in a case involving possession of counterfeit cigarettes for sale without excise duty and refusal to give a blood sample, with charges admitted and a guilty plea.
In Balbriggan District Court, Mr Xiu Lin Chi, director of Dong Chi Foods, pleaded guilty to employing foreign nationals without work permits. Inspector Leonard Carrigan presented evidence from inspections in February and August 2013, showing Way Sim Chee, Mr Yang and Ms Kelly Chur working illegally. The court imposed a fine of €2,000 per offence, totaling €8,000 under the Employment Permit Act 2003. Mr Chi, a 49‑year‑old father of three with a Stamp 4 status, was fined and recognisance was fixed pending appeal.
Swords District Court sentenced five defendants at the sentencing stage. Nerijus Dumbris pleaded guilty to drink driving and dangerous driving; he was sentenced to four months in prison, fined €250, and disqualified from driving for three years for drink driving and five years for dangerous driving. Florin Amarrii pleaded guilty to theft; he was convicted, fined €100, and ordered to pay €30 expenses to the security officer. Ciara Tynan pleaded guilty to theft and intoxicated, threatening, and abusive behaviour; she received a four-month suspended sentence, was placed on a one-year Peace Bond, ordered to stay away from the injured party, and fined €100. Aidan McDonnell pleaded guilty to failing to comply with garda direction and pushing a garda; he was convicted and fined €350. Daniel Betley pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of pepper spray; he was ordered to complete 200 hours of community service in lieu of a two-month prison sentence. All matters were finalised with sentences imposed.
Balbriggan District Court heard a number of cases on various charges. David El Masri (32) of Prospect in Balbriggan, Co Dublin pleaded guilty to custody or control of equipment designed for making copies of work on October 14th, 2013 at his home address, and 10 charges of copying movies for sale or supply on the same date, namely Invictus, Avatar, Old Dogs, Body of Lies, Informant, Invention of Lying, Grown Ups, Marmaduke, Wall-E and Four Christmases. He also pleaded guilty to the theft of ten PlayStation games valued at €603 from Tesco Xpress at Millfield in Balbriggan on November 28th. The matter was adjourned until March 6th. Montes Parulea (20) of Birchwood Heights, Springfield Tallaght pleaded guilty to the theft of ten PlayStation games and was handed 240 hours community service work in lieu of a two month prison sentence. Christopher Russell (53) of Brookford Lane in Rush pleaded not guilty to assault and using threatening and abusive behaviour at Upper Main Street in Rush on August 22nd. The matter was adjourned until March 28th. Paul Boylan (35) of Minster's Road in Lusk was remanded on continuing bail until March 27th. Benjamin Whitehouse and Oliver Whitehouse (both 36) were remanded on continuing bail until March 13th. Martin Coughlan (30) of Gurteen Road in Ballyfermot was remanded on continuing bail until March 6th. Nicholas Keane (36) of Bremore, Castlegate in Balbriggan was adjourned until April 10th. Martin Maughan (30) of St McCullin's in Balbriggan pleaded guilty to refusing to give gardai his name and address on November 20th, 2012 at Pinewood Green Close and was fined €200.
TWO men, Tomas Tarasevicius (29) and Paulius Taracvius (33), were charged with possession of stolen high‑powered vehicles and related offences. Tomas faces four counts of handling stolen property, including an Audi A5, a Nissan Quashqui and two BMWs seized at McAuley's Yard in Balbriggan on 20 September 2013, plus possession of stolen cars, two petrol tanks and criminal damage to an Audi. Paulius is charged with possession of a stolen Audi car at the same location and date. Both appeared before Balbriggan District Court, where a State solicitor confirmed the Books of Evidence were ready and served. They were remanded on continuing bail to appear before Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 7 March, with a judge warning them to provide witness details within 14 days. The defendants' solicitor applied for a second counsel due to the case's complexity, a matter for the trial judge. The case is now set for trial by judge and jury.
Swords District Court heard four matters presided over by Judge Dermot Dempsey. Valerie Quaid, who pleaded guilty to being intoxicated, failing to comply with garda direction, and using threatening and abusive behaviour, failed to appear after a previous order for a Probation & Welfare Report. Consequently, the judge imposed the default sentence of one month in prison and issued a bench warrant for her arrest. Laura Sheils pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and without insurance. She received a three-month suspended sentence, was disqualified from driving for five years for the disqualification offence, and for a further three years for driving without insurance. Edward Byrne pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis herb. The judge convicted him and imposed a fine of €200. Sebestian Knecht did not appear in court. The judge proceeded on a not guilty plea and convicted him of using an altered driving licence, being in custody of a false insurance disc, and driving without insurance. A bench warrant was issued for his arrest for the purpose of sentencing. Recognisances were fixed in the event of an appeal for Quaid and Sheils.
At Balbriggan District Court, James Ward, 43, faced seven charges alleging he induced individuals to make lodgements totaling €2,270 into his AIB account for goods such as Electric Picnic tickets, a Samsung Galaxy phone, and an iPhone. Ward's solicitor informed Judge Dermot Dempsey that the defendant suffered a stroke and could not attend. The Director of Public Prosecutions directed trial on indictment, and the matter was adjourned until April 10th. Jackie Gallagher, 53, was charged with the theft of €50 from a house in Lusk. Sergeant Tony Tighe provided evidence of arrest and charge. Judge Dempsey granted a disclosure order and remanded Gallagher on continuing bail to appear on March 6th for a plea or hearing date. Wojtek Jedrej, 19, was charged with possessing a sharply pointed knife in Balbriggan. His solicitor requested an adjournment as further charges may be put to him. Judge Dempsey agreed to adjourn the case until April 3rd. Jerry Flynn, 25, was charged with theft of fuel, violent behaviour, and dangerous driving. His case was adjourned until May 12th to be heard at Swords District Court.
Three men – Eoin Maguire (29), Cornelius Price (32) and Edward Price (24) – appeared before Judge Dermot Dempsey at Balbriggan District Court charged with several offences alleged to have occurred in December 2013. They are charged with assault causing harm to Clifford Whitehouse and James Whitehouse on 20 December 2013 at Bremore Castle, with the production of a Stanley knife on the same day, and with reckless endangerment of a garda at Balbriggan Garda Station on 22 December 2013. Maguire made no reply after arrest, while Price replied that he had said what he had to say. Maguire was granted bail with conditions to sign on three times a week at Drogheda Garda Station, stay away from witnesses, avoid Balbriggan and reappear on 3 April. Price was refused bail and remanded to Cloverhill to appear on 13 February.
Swords District Court heard several matters involving drink driving and drug possession. Helen Ikechukwu, 35, of Lusk, pleaded guilty to drink driving on February 16, 2013, in Balbriggan. Judge Dermot Dempsey convicted her, fined her €300, and imposed a six-month driving disqualification. Darren Koohof, of Wexford, was convicted in his absence of being drunk in charge of a vehicle in Skerries on October 30, 2013. Judge Dempsey noted a previous 2007 conviction and issued a bench warrant for Koohof's arrest for sentencing. Edward Byrne, 28, of Donabate, pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis on May 2, 2013. Judge Dempsey adjourned the case until February 10 to hear the facts. Additionally, Laura Sheils, 23, of Swords, had her case adjourned until February 10 due to illness; she is alleged to have driven while disqualified and uninsured in June 2012. Keith Donoghue, 33, of Dublin 17, had his case adjourned until March 3; he is alleged to have attempted to drive while drunk and committed dangerous driving in August 2013.
Swords District Court sentenced Kevin McCabe to four months in prison and disqualified him from driving for six years after he pleaded guilty to driving without insurance and a licence. Judge Dermot Dempsey noted McCabe's 11 previous convictions, including two prior disqualifications, and imposed a €200 fine. In a separate matter, Josephine Farrell pleaded guilty to contravening a safety order by allegedly threatening a man. The court applied the Probation Act, citing evidence that Farrell, who has bipolar disorder, had missed medication for three days. Darragh Quinn pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of cannabis herb. The charge was struck out after the court ordered €400 in his possession to be paid to Swords Foroige Youth Group. Additionally, Paul Kehoe was disqualified for four years and fined €400 for failing a breath sample, with a further €100 fine for lacking an NCT. His disqualification was postponed until June 1st. Finally, Danny Bowers, alleged to have driven without insurance and while drink driving, had his case adjourned until February 17th because the prosecuting garda was unavailable to give evidence.
In a Dublin District Court hearing on 28 January 2014, a 44‑year‑old bus passenger, Robert Fogarty of Cardy Rock Court, Balbriggan, was charged with possessing a meat cleaver as a weapon. The incident occurred on the 102 bus route at Atrium Road, Dublin Airport, on Monday night. According to the court, Fogarty was highly intoxicated and abusive when he boarded the bus. He demanded that the driver pull up at a "non‑stop" stop, and when the driver refused, Fogarty produced a meat cleaver from his backpack and swung it at the driver, who was behind protective glass. Garda reports and CCTV footage were to be presented to the court, and Fogarty's lawyer claimed his client had another view of the allegations. Bail was granted on the condition of regular reporting to the local Garda station, and Fogarty was scheduled to return to court on 4 March.
A 50‑year‑old woman from County Louth, Paula Reid, is accused of stealing €19,604 from Hugh Burrows & Sons Ltd over a four‑year period between November 2008 and December 2012. She faces 65 theft offences and has been sent forward for trial by judge and jury in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Reid appeared at Balbriggan District Court, where a State solicitor confirmed the evidence was ready and served. Judge Dermot Dempsey assigned senior and junior counsel, gave her an alibi caution, and remanded her on continuing bail to appear on 14 February.
In a case heard at Balbriggan District Court, 19‑year‑old Alan Joyce was remanded on continuing bail pending a Probation & Welfare Report. Joyce, who lives in Finglas, was found on a train from Gormanston to Skerries and attempted to seize a 14‑year‑old boy's iPod. He punched the boy several times, causing severe bruising, and then left the train at Balbriggan Station with the stolen device. Gardaí later located him on Balbriggan Beach in possession of the iPod. Joyce had previously pleaded guilty to the theft of the iPod on 10 August of the previous year. The Director of Public Prosecutions had directed summary disposal of the case. Defence solicitor Ms Fiona Darcy explained that Joyce had been in HSE care since 2010 and had a difficult upbringing, noting that he had no drink or drug problem.
Sean Smith, 18, of Dundalk, was convicted at Balbriggan District Court of selling cigarettes without excise duty paid. He pleaded guilty to the charge, which involved displaying various brands at Balbriggan Sunday Market. Judge Dermot Dempsey fined him €350 and ordered the destruction of the cigarettes. In separate matters, James Maguire, 43, of Balbriggan, is alleged to have used threatening and abusive behaviour and obstructed a garda in Skerries. His case was adjourned to March 3rd at Swords District Court, and he was remanded on continuing bail. Jade Gannon, 30, of Skerries, is charged with criminal damage, having no insurance, being intoxicated, using threatening and abusive behaviour, and failing to pay a taxi fare. Her case was also adjourned to March 3rd at Swords District Court, with the court remanding her on continuing bail. All proceedings were heard before Judge Dempsey.
In Balbriggan District Court, Barry O'Brien (47) of St Catherine's Green in Rush pleaded guilty to being in possession of a knife with a 12-inch blade at St Catherine's Park on August 1st. He was placed on a Probation Bond for one year with conditions set by Probation Services. Tomas Tarasevicius (29) of No Fixed Abode and Paulius Taracvius (33) of McAuley's Yard, Flemington in Balbriggan were remanded on bail to re-appear on February 13th when the Book of Evidence will be served. Tarasevicius faces four counts of handling stolen property, being in possession of stolen cars, and criminal damage. Taracvius is charged with possession of a stolen Audi car. Jade Gannon (30) of Mourne Park in Skerries was remanded until January 23rd after her defence solicitor explained that she could not attend court due to her children attending counselling following the murder of her father in front of her daughter. The case was adjourned pending a letter from the counsellor. A man charged with assault causing harm was remanded on continuing bail until March 13th to allow a judge to consider jurisdiction on receipt of a medical report. A Chinese takeaway owner was convicted of employing three foreign nationals without work permits and fined €1,500.
David Donnelly, 20, of Lusk, pleaded guilty to assaulting Jennifer Coffey in a Lusk graveyard on 5 August 2012, fracturing her nasal bone, and to making threatening phone calls to her father Michael Coffey on 6 April 2013. He also pleaded guilty to smashing a pub window at The Strand Bar in Skerries on the same date. Sergeant Tony Tighe reported that Donnelly admitted striking Ms Coffey twice in the face. A later scuffle in a Skerries pub left Donnelly with a bloodied nose after he smashed a glass window with his elbow. Donnelly paid €220 for the window damage. Judge Dermot Dempsey remanded him on continuing bail pending a Probation & Welfare Report, ordered him to attend addiction services, and warned that a custodial sentence would be imposed if the report was unsatisfactory. The case was adjourned to 27 March.
James Marry, 25, was found in unlawful possession of 51 ecstasy tablets on 27 October 2010 in Balbriggan. He hid the tablets in his underwear and fled from Gardaí before being searched. Marry pleaded guilty and has three prior drug convictions, including suspended sentences. He is a carer for his mother. Judge Dermot Dempsey questioned whether a custodial sentence was necessary, noting Marry had been given chances already. The judge requested a Probation & Welfare Report to decide if 140 hours of community service could replace a four‑month prison term.
Kevin Marry, a 42‑year‑old father of two from Balbriggan, pleaded guilty in Swords District Court to unlawful possession of cannabis herb for sale or supply. He had €1,500 worth of cannabis, which he used to increase appetite while battling leukaemia and kidney failure. Marry, who has been in remission since 2009, said he would not commit further offences and expressed a desire to join the kidney transplant list in March. Judge Dermot Dempsey sentenced him to a six‑month suspended term and bound him to the peace for two years, rejecting community service.
Swords District Court sentenced three defendants in separate matters. Marcin Andrejczat, 38, of Swords, pleaded guilty to drink driving on December 4, 2012, on Rathbeale Road. Judge Dermot Dempsey convicted him, fined him €500, and disqualified him from driving for three years. The disqualification was postponed until June 1 to allow Andrejczat to settle his affairs. Daniel Whelan, 36, of Coolock, pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of cocaine valued at €110 at The Wright Venue in Swords on June 17, 2012. Judge Dempsey imposed 240 hours of community service in lieu of a two-month prison sentence, as Whelan was deemed suitable by Probation Services. Thomas Weldon, of Balbriggan, pleaded guilty to hit and run, careless driving, and failing to keep his vehicle at the scene following an incident on February 17, 2013. Judge Dempsey convicted Weldon of careless driving and fined him €300. The judge declined to disqualify Weldon, noting Garda O'Rourke's testimony that Weldon is a carer for his parents with health problems. All sentences were handed down at the sentencing stage.
In a Swords District Court hearing, Thomas Dennis, aged 21, was fined €1,500 for failing to report a hit‑and‑run that occurred on 16 December 2012. The incident involved a woman, hairdresser Shauna Weldon, whose right ring finger tip was severed when Dennis drove off in his car while she had her hand in the door. Dennis discovered the severed finger the next day, consulted his father, and only then reported the incident to the Gardaí. He pleaded guilty to the offence of failing to report a hit‑and‑run. Judge Dermot Dempsey noted that the State had not pursued more serious charges and imposed the maximum fine of €2,000, ultimately sentencing Dennis to a €1,500 fine payable over four months. No other penalties were imposed. The case concluded with recognisance pending any appeal.
At Balbriggan District Court, Judge Dermot Dempsey addressed several matters. Marek Laska, 27, pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of cannabis for sale or supply and possession of digital weighing scales. Although Laska claimed the drugs were for personal use, the judge noted the scales were indicative of supply. Laska was remanded on continuing bail, and the case was adjourned until April 10th for a Restorative Justice Programme report. In a separate matter, the National Education Welfare Board reported that an unnamed teenager is making positive progress in school attendance. The judge adjourned the case until February 20th for review. Additionally, Sean Donnelly, 24, and Craig Donnelly, 22, pleaded guilty to being intoxicated and using threatening and abusive behaviour. Both men paid €350 to local charities, and the judge struck out the charges, avoiding convictions. Finally, Keith Blackburn, 52, was remanded on continuing bail after being charged with violent behaviour and failing to comply with garda directions. His case was adjourned until January 9th for a plea or hearing date.
A 20‑year‑old Romanian‑born thief, Montes Parulea, pleaded guilty in Balbriggan District Court to stealing ten PlayStation games worth €603 from Tesco Xpress on 28 November. He entered the store with another person, placed the games in a foil‑lined baby bag, paid for one item and left without paying for the rest. Sergeant Tony Tighe testified that the goods were recovered. Judge Dermot Dempsey ordered a probation and welfare report to decide whether Parulea could receive 240 hours of community service instead of a two‑month sentence, and adjourned the case to 13 February.
Four defendants appeared before Balbriggan District Court, presided over by Judge Dermot Dempsey, where all matters were adjourned. Alan Bathe, 29, is charged with criminal damage, unauthorised carriage in a vehicle, and arson, allegedly involving a car crash into a garden wall and subsequent fire in Balbriggan. The Director of Public Prosecutions directed summary disposal, and the case was adjourned until January 30th. Thomas Ward, 43, pleaded guilty to inducing a woman to pay €280 for a non-existing product. Despite a previous compensation order, Ward presented only €250. The judge granted him one final opportunity to pay the balance, adjourning the matter until February 6th. Christopher Russell, 53, pleaded not guilty to charges of assault and threatening and abusive behaviour in Rush. A medical report was requested, and the case was adjourned for hearing on February 13th. Daniel O'Neill, 20, is charged with trespass, threatening and abusive behaviour, violent behaviour, and possession of a rock at Swords Garda Station. He was remanded on continuing bail and ordered to re-appear at Swords District Court on March 3rd.
Richard Coleman, a 29‑year‑old farmer from Drumlattery in Skerries, Co. Dublin, pleaded guilty in Balbriggan District Court to driving without insurance on 29 June at Rathmore Road, Lusk. He had been stopped by Garda John Lennon who confirmed he had no insurance cover at that time. Coleman claimed he had paid a premium cheque two days earlier, but the insurance company returned it because the premium was higher than quoted. He did not receive the cheque until 31 June and was stopped before it was returned. Defence solicitor Mary Arnold noted he had taken out new insurance on 1 July. Coleman explained he drove to a vet to obtain antibiotics for a sick heifer, fearing the animal would die otherwise. Judge Dermot Dempsey accepted his explanation, decided not to disqualify him, but warned that as this is his third no‑insurance conviction he will face custody if he commits a similar offence again. He was fined €500.
In a Balbriggan public‑order case, 24‑year‑old Sean Donnelly and his 22‑year‑old brother Craig were arrested for drunkenness and abusive behaviour on 17 November. Both pleaded guilty. Defence solicitor Eleanor Kelly argued that a €200 payment could avoid convictions, but Judge Dermot Dempsey insisted they each pay €350. The judge noted that a conviction would hinder Sean's plans to return to Australia for work and could affect Craig's army career. Both men, with no prior convictions and previously given adult cautions, were remanded on continuing bail to appear again on 19 December to pay the court. The judge's remarks suggested he wanted to allow Sean to return to Australia without a criminal record. No conviction was imposed at this hearing.
Arvis Jakobsons, 26, of Swords, pleaded guilty to criminal damage after smashing the front and bathroom doors of his ex‑partner's house on Main Street, Rush. Gardaí were called when the ex‑partner reported the intrusion. The damage was estimated at €400. Judge Dermot Dempsey demanded Jakobsons pay for the repairs, which he did by contributing €250 in court. After the payment, the charge was struck out. Separately, Stephen O'Shaughnessy, 23, of Stamullen, pleaded guilty to trespass, theft of alcohol, and handling stolen property. He was remanded on continuing bail, required to pay €426 in compensation, and was ordered to appear again on 28 February 2014. Finally, Niall Byrne, 31, of Balbriggan, was disqualified from driving for four years and fined €500 after Garda Derek Dalton seized his car for lacking insurance and tax, following a prior two‑year disqualification in 2012. All proceedings were held at Balbriggan District Court.
Swords District Court heard four matters. Adrian Vaduva, 41, pleaded guilty to stealing a purse containing €848 and bank cards from Balbriggan Post Office. Judge Dempsey sentenced him to six months in prison, noting he failed to assist Gardaí with enquiries regarding an alleged accomplice. Luke Purcell, 18, pleaded guilty to stealing €70 worth of petrol. He was convicted and fined €200 after failing to provide a charitable donation. Clive Barry, 36, pleaded guilty to drink driving with a blood alcohol level of 209mg/100ml. He was disqualified for three years, with the mandatory disqualification postponed until January 1st. Mark Power, 33, pleaded guilty to driving without insurance, lacking a licence, and leaving the scene of a collision. The matter was adjourned until next May for a Probation & Welfare report, with Power remanded on continuing bail.
Paula Reid, 50, of Drogheda, is accused of stealing €19,604 from Hugh Burrows & Sons Ltd, a knitwear manufacturer in Balbriggan, over a four‑year period from November 2008 to December 2012. She faces 64 theft offences. The case was presented at Balbriggan District Court where Sergeant Tony Tighe gave evidence of her arrest, charge and caution. Judge Dermot Dempsey directed a trial on indictment and remanded Reid on continuing bail to re‑appear on 26 January next year. The court also heard the case of Gunars Baumanis, 45, who was convicted of dangerous driving, hit and run, failing to remain at the scene and displaying a false tax disc. Baumanis was given a three‑month suspended sentence, a four‑year driving disqualification for dangerous driving, a six‑month disqualification for failing to stop, a €300 fine for the offence and a €100 fine for failing to report the incident. Gunars Baumanis pleaded guilty.
A 23‑year‑old man, Martin Daly of Balbriggan, was charged with unlawful possession of heroin and Diazepam, obstruction of a Garda, attempted swallowing of heroin bags, threatening and abusive behaviour, assaulting a Garda, and possession of a stolen laptop. He was remanded on continuing bail to appear before Balbriggan District Court on 16 January next year. A 34‑year‑old man, Aidan McDonnell of Lusk, was charged with disorderly conduct and pushing a Garda. He was remanded on continuing bail to appear before Swords District Court on 3 February next year. A 37‑year‑old man, Sebestian Knecht of Swords, was charged with using an altered driving licence, possessing a false insurance disc, and driving without insurance. He was remanded on continuing bail to appear before Swords District Court on 3 February next year. All three cases were heard by Judge Dermot Dempsey.
In a case heard at Balbriggan District Court, 19‑year‑old Scott Chapman was charged with failing to stop at a Garda checkpoint, dangerous driving and driving without insurance after he drove a red Honda Civic at 110 km/h through Lusk village on 4 May. He fled on foot after the checkpoint and was arrested shortly thereafter. Chapman pleaded guilty. The judge, Dermot Dempsey, disqualified him from driving for two years and fined him €300 for dangerous driving, and for an additional six months' disqualification and €300 fine for driving without insurance. The court did not impose a custodial sentence, citing the teenager's lack of prior convictions and the brief nature of the offence. The decision was influenced by the defendant's father's testimony, but the judge emphasised that the outcome was based on the facts presented, not the father's remarks.
Swords District Court heard three matters. Gary McQuillian, 23, pleaded guilty to being drunk and a source of danger after jumping onto a moving taxi's bonnet. Judge Dermot Dempsey applied Section 1.1 of the Probation Act, meaning McQuillian escaped a conviction. Ronan Healy, 34, pleaded guilty to drink driving after failing to stop at a junction, causing a squad car to brake to avoid a collision. Healy, who has four previous convictions including one for drink driving, was convicted, disqualified from driving, and fined €600. Sam Maughan, 19, pleaded guilty to being intoxicated and using threatening and abusive behaviour at a Debs Ball. Maughan, who has 22 previous convictions, was remanded on continuing bail to appear before Court 5 at the Criminal Courts of Justice on November 21st to have a suspended sentence re-entered. The court noted Maughan had threatened Gardaí and had to be restrained by door staff. All defendants were represented by solicitors, and evidence was presented by Gardaí Brian Morrissey, Lucy Woods, and Daniel Rogers.
At Balbriggan District Court, Erik Keder (27) of Swords, Co Dublin, was sentenced after pleading guilty to unlawful possession of implements. Keder, who admitted to carrying a six-inch hunting knife and screwdriver at New Haggard Bridge in Lusk on March 14, 2012, while intoxicated, was ordered to complete 240 hours of community service in lieu of a six-month prison sentence. Judge Dermot Dempsey noted the seriousness of carrying a knife while intoxicated. In a separate matter, James Ward (43) of Balbriggan was remanded on continuing bail to await DPP directions. Ward is charged with inducing seven individuals to make lodgements totaling over €2,000 into his bank account for goods, including Electric Picnic tickets and mobile phones, which he allegedly advertised online but did not provide. He is scheduled to reappear on February 6th. Additionally, Linda Barrett (29) of Balbriggan was remanded on continuing bail for a probation report. Barrett is charged with being abusive and aggressive to gardai at Beaumont Hospital's A&E department on October 8th. Her solicitor stated she has abstained from alcohol since the incident. Judge Dempsey warned Barrett that he must be satisfied she is addressing her alcohol problem. She is to appear before Swords District Court on January 13th.
Jonathan Coyle, 31, of The Collages, Colecot, Lusk, Co Dublin, pleaded guilty in Balbriggan District Court to driving without insurance, driving while disqualified, failing to produce insurance and driving without a licence on 2 June at Colecut. He had 82 prior convictions, including four for driving without insurance and driving while disqualified. Coyle admitted it was foolish to test drive a car while disqualified, noting it was a short distance from his home. Judge Dermot Dempsey sentenced him to a six‑month prison term, suspended for two years, and imposed a 20‑year driving ban. The judge also ordered a probation report to consider 240 hours of community service in lieu of the prison term for driving without insurance, and adjourned the case to 23 January 2014. If Coyle is not deemed suitable for the community service, the judge may jail him for an additional six months for driving without insurance.
In Balbriggan District Court, Judge Dermot Dempsey ordered the return of a jeep to Brendan Dempsey after Dempsey sold the vehicle online to a man named 'Wayne' who paid with a fraudulent bank draft. Dempsey had accepted the draft in good faith and later discovered it was fake. A second buyer, Alan Downey, had purchased the jeep from Wayne for €8,750 in cash, believing the sale legitimate. Both Dempsey and Downey requested the jeep's return. The court noted Dempsey had originally bought the jeep in 2006 for €87,000 and had listed it for sale on DoneDeal.ie. Downey had conducted checks and was unaware of the draft's falsity. Judge Dempsey ruled the jeep be returned to Dempsey, emphasizing the unfortunate nature of the situation. No further legal actions were mentioned.
At Balbriggan District Court, David Donnelly, 20, of Lusk, pleaded guilty to assaulting a woman causing her harm on August 5th. Judge Dermot Dempsey accepted jurisdiction following a DPP direction for summary disposal. Donnelly was remanded on continuing bail to allow for a medical report and to hear the facts on January 9th, 2014. Thomas Dennis, 21, of Skerries, is alleged to have caused injury to a woman, driven on a provisional licence without a qualified driver, used a vehicle without an NCT, and failed to report an accident on December 16th, 2012. Dennis was granted free legal aid and remanded on continuing bail. His case was adjourned until January 13th, 2014. Noel Orange, 29, of Naul, is alleged to have possessed a knife and provided gardai with a false name and address on August 24th. Orange was remanded on continuing bail. His matter was adjourned until November 14th for a plea or hearing date.
James Whelan, 22, pleaded guilty before Swords District Court to driving without car tax, no NCT, failing to stop for a garda and using threatening and insulting behaviour on 18 February at Moylara Road, Balbriggan. Garda Louise Gernon stopped him, noting the car tax and NCT had expired, and Whelan shouted at her, telling her to 'stick the car up your arse' and to f**k off. He then drove off, requiring a tow truck to seize the vehicle from his home address. Whelan, who has four previous convictions and was addicted to benzodiazepines, apologized to the court and to Gernon. Judge Dermot Dempsey sentenced him to one month in prison, suspended for one year, for the threatening and insulting behaviour, disqualified him from driving for three months and fined him €600.
Michael Igbosonu, aged 25, was originally sentenced in March 2012 to two years' imprisonment with one year suspended for a predatory sexual assault on a woman who fell asleep beside him on a Nitelink bus. He denied the offence but was found guilty by a jury after a four‑day trial. The Court of Criminal Appeal, hearing the case on Monday, ruled that the sentence was unduly lenient. The appeal was successful, and the sentence was increased to five years' imprisonment with two years suspended for a period of three years. Igbosonu was released from prison on 29 October last year and was ordered to surrender to Mountjoy Prison on 21 October. The appeal was brought by the Director of Public Prosecutions. The court noted the assault was predatory, sordid, and traumatic, and that Igbosonu had a record of 11 previous convictions. The new sentence reflects the seriousness of the offence. The case remains at the appeal stage.