At Swords District Court, Jason McDonagh (19) pleaded guilty to being in unlawful possession of €20 worth of cannabis herb and was ordered to make a charitable contribution of €250 by December 17th to avoid a conviction. Nermia Ibrahimovic (40) pleaded guilty to the theft of groceries worth €34.91 and was fined €300 with a warning that her liberty is at risk if she reoffends. James English (22) pleaded guilty to the theft of €130.39 worth of cosmetics and was given the benefit of the Probation Act. Mark Cole (34) faced charges of being in unlawful possession of cannabis herb, cannabis resin and cocaine for sale or supply, and the case was adjourned until November 25th. Amy Bergin (20) was found guilty of driving without insurance, without L-plates displayed, without an NCT, and driving on a provisional licence without a qualified driver, and was fined €750 and disqualified from driving for two years. Ryan Montgomery (18) and Dale Monks (19) pleaded guilty to non-payment of a taxi fare of €43 and were ordered to make a charitable contribution of €250 each by November 25th to avoid a conviction. The case of St Margaret, accused of being in unlawful possession of cannabis herb, cannabis resin and cocaine for sale or supply at his home address on April 3rd, and non-payment of a taxi fare of €43, was adjourned.
Swords District Court heard several matters. Alex Mooney and Rory Kirwan pleaded guilty to intoxication and threatening behaviour at the Malahide Festival. Judge Dermot Dempsey agreed to strike out charges against both defendants after they each made a €300 charitable donation. Patrick Mongen was convicted of driving without a licence and fined €75. Aslam Khan, alleged to have assaulted a woman, breached a barring order, and committed careless driving and criminal damage, was remanded on continuing bail to reappear on September 2nd. Adam Meehan pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of cocaine and methoxyphenamine tablets. The matter was adjourned to October 20th, with the judge indicating a specific course of action if Meehan proves completion of voluntary work and makes a €400 donation. Kadesh Tracey, charged with unlawful possession of benzodiazepine, obstructing and assaulting a Garda, criminal damage, and failing to stop for gardai, failed to appear, resulting in a bench warrant for his arrest.
Swords District Court handed down sentences to several defendants. John Budgie McDonagh pleaded guilty to stealing a leather jacket and tools worth €87 from TK Maxx on February 11th. Judge Dermot Dempsey convicted him and imposed a six-month prison term, noting he was beyond probation. Co-accused Owen McDonagh pleaded guilty to stealing shoes valued at €54.99 from the same store on the same date. He received a five-month sentence suspended for two years. Stephen O'Doherty pleaded guilty to taking a car without permission and burglary on August 5th, 2013. Judge Dempsey sentenced him to eight months in prison to run concurrently with a term he is already serving. Lisa Jenkins pleaded guilty to three thefts from TK Maxx totaling €842. She was remanded on continuing bail until October 6th for a Probation & Welfare report. Caroline McAleer pleaded guilty to driving without insurance on October 19th last year and was remanded on continuing bail to re-appear on September 1st for facts to be heard. Neil Curran is alleged to have assaulted Peter Lynch causing harm; the DPP directed trial on indictment, and he was remanded on continuing bail. Co-accused Jennifer Quinn, charged with assaulting Mr Lynch and using threatening behaviour, was remanded on continuing bail to re-appear on September 1st for a plea or to fix a hearing date.
Swords District Court heard several matters involving defendants who pleaded guilty or faced allegations. Jason Kirwin, 27, pleaded guilty to driving without insurance, while disqualified, and without a licence. Judge Conal Gibbons noted his 79 prior convictions and ordered a Probation Report, adjourning the case to September 15th. Stephen O'Doherty and David Fagan pleaded guilty to the unauthorised taking of a car; Fagan also admitted burglary. Both were remanded on continuing bail to reappear on July 15th for sentencing. Rebotilwe Mohlala pleaded guilty to theft and received the benefit of the Probation Act after making a charitable donation. Graham Doyle pleaded guilty to theft; his case was struck out after compensation was paid. Philip Garland, alleged to be in unlawful possession of cannabis, had his case adjourned to July 21st for a plea or hearing date, with the judge remanding him on continuing bail.
In Swords District Court, Judge Dermot Dempsey applied the Probation Act to 34‑year‑old Natasha Reilly, who breached a Protection Order by being drunk and threatening to "smash the face" off her victim. Reilly had been remanded in custody since 19 May and had detoxed, completed an anger‑management course and remained in custody to address her chronic alcoholism. She is now focused on staying sober and rebuilding her relationship with her children. The court also heard other cases: a 32‑year‑old woman, Jennifer Reilly, was remanded on continuing bail for alleged theft of two pairs of shoes; a 22‑year‑old man, Jamie Bowbrick, was given further time to pay a €350 charitable donation after pleading guilty to unlawful possession of cannabis and obstruction; a 38‑year‑old woman, Gillian O'Donnell, was remanded on continuing bail for alleged theft of a pair of boots; a 28‑year‑old man, Mark Jackson, was remanded on continuing bail for.
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.
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.