A 25‑year‑old man named Shane Power, who is unemployed, was charged with assaulting Garda Karl McManus on St Patrick's Day in Skerries and with unlawful possession of nine tablets of MDMA at Balbriggan Garda Station. He was also charged with intoxication and using threatening and abusive behaviour. Power could not attend an earlier court date because he was overseas on holiday. His girlfriend proved that she paid for a one‑week holiday to Tenerife, covering flights and half‑board accommodation at a total cost of €1,600, and presented documents to Judge Dermot Dempsey. The judge was satisfied with the evidence and granted Power free legal aid, remanding the case until 22 May. The decision was made after the judge had previously reserved legal aid for Power, who had argued that he could not afford legal fees while on holiday. The case remains pending as of the article's date.
Marek Laska, a 27‑year‑old university student, was found in possession of 260 g of cannabis, a digital weighing scale and a scoop, items that indicated he was involved in the sale or supply of drugs. He had previously pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of cannabis for sale or supply and a digital weighing scale at a house on Main Street in Rush on 6 October 2011. Garda Gerrit Durnin reported that the drugs were found in Laska's bedroom and that the total street value was €3,079. Laska initially claimed the drugs were for his own use and did not accept responsibility for the charge of possession for sale or supply. The Restorative Justice Programme reported that he did not accept that charge. In the Balbriggan District Court, Judge Dermot Dempsey heard that Laska now accepts the charge and the opportunity offered by the programme.
At Balbriggan District Court, Judge Dermot Dempsey handed down a sentence to David Lawrence, who pleaded guilty to driving without insurance, no tax, and no NCT. Lawrence was sentenced to four months, which was suspended, and remanded on a peace bond for one year. He was also disqualified from driving for two years and fined €100 for driving without a licence. In a separate matter, Sean Lynch, charged with assault causing harm, had his case adjourned until September 1st for hearing at Swords District Court. Three men—Eoin Maguire, Cornelius Price, and Edward Price—were further remanded on continuing bail as DPP directions were not ready. They face charges including assault causing harm, production of an article, and reckless endangerment of a garda. James Ward, facing seven charges for inducing lodgements and payments related to non-existent tickets and phones, had a bench warrant issued for his arrest after failing to appear. Wojtek Jedrej, charged with possession of a knife and driving under the influence, was remanded for a May 16th hearing. Stephen Teeling, charged with possession of cannabis, was also remanded for a May 16th hearing.
Paul Mannering, 25, of Tallaght, pleaded guilty to the unauthorised taking of a vehicle and driving without insurance at The Five Road, Hedgestown, Lusk, on January 3rd. Judge Dermot Dempsey sentenced him to 240 hours of community service work in lieu of a five-month prison term and disqualified him from driving for two years. Mannering's solicitor stated he was in a 'stupid situation' after borrowing money and being asked to commit the offence. Nicholas Keane, 36, of Balbriggan, was remanded on continuing bail until May 16th regarding an alleged possession of a knife at Hamlet Lane on January 27th. The DPP directed no further charges be brought. James Ward, 43, of Balbriggan, faces seven charges for allegedly inducing victims to make lodgements totalling over €2,000 for non-existent concert tickets and mobile phones. Ward was remanded in his absence to re-appear on April 24th to furnish medical certificates following a reported stroke. Additionally, an unidentified teenager who persistently skipped school was adjourned until October 16th after the National Education Welfare Board reported 'good progress' in his attendance.
Three men – Eoin Maguire (29), Cornelius Price (32) and Edward Price (24) – were remanded on continuing bail by Judge Dermot Dempsey at Balbriggan District Court. They face charges of assault causing harm to Clifford Whitehouse and James Whitehouse on 20 December 2013 at Bremore Castle, and of producing a Stanley knife on the same day. Cornelius Price and Edward Price are also charged with reckless endangerment of a garda at Balbriggan Garda Station on 22 December 2013. Maguire had previously been granted bail with a condition to sign on three times a week; his solicitor requested a reduction to once a week, but the judge refused. The judge extended the bail period to 9 am‑9 pm and reserved free legal aid for Maguire. All three men are to re‑appear on 24 April 2014.
Balbriggan District Court heard several pre-trial matters before Judge Dermot Dempsey. Edwin Akandu, 45, is charged with driving without insurance. His solicitor stated he is a named driver on his partner's policy, but she refuses to provide the certificate. The Judge ordered Chill Insurance to furnish the document to Garda Keith Horgan, warning of a warrant for non-compliance, and adjourned the case until May 22nd. Michelle Ferris, 38, is alleged to have drink driven, failed to wear a seat belt, and driven without a licence. Following receipt of disclosure, she was remanded on continuing bail to appear before Swords District Court on June 9th. Joseph Cruise, 20, is alleged to have breached a protection order. He was remanded on continuing bail to re-appear before Balbriggan District Court on May 16th. Stephen Teeling is charged with unlawful possession of cannabis. The Judge granted a disclosure order and remanded him on continuing bail to return on April 24th for a plea or hearing date. Gavin Deegan, 24, is also charged with unlawful possession of cannabis. He was remanded on continuing bail to re-appear before the court on April 24th. All defendants are currently at the charge or pre-trial stage, with no pleas entered or findings made.
In a 2014 Balbriggan District Court hearing, Judge Dermot Dempsey reprimanded Margaret McDonagh, 44, for driving with a child under three in an unrestrained rear‑facing seat that faced forward. The judge likened the situation to "putting a loaded gun in front of the child" and expressed disbelief at her choice of seat placement. McDonagh was stopped on the M1 after her car tax had lapsed by six months. She pleaded guilty to non‑display of road tax and to failing to restrain a child. The judge fined her €50 for the tax offence and considered the child‑restraining charge, refusing free legal aid as the offences did not merit it. The court did not address any further legal proceedings beyond the fine and the judge's remarks.
A 19‑year‑old youth was placed on a six‑month Probation Bond after he punched a 14‑year‑old boy on a train from Gormanston to Skerries and stole his Apple iPod. The youth approached the victim, tried to seize the iPod, then struck the boy several times in the face, leaving severe bruising. He disembarked at Balbriggan Train Station with the device, and Gardaí later found him on Balbriggan Beach still in possession of the stolen iPod. He pleaded guilty to the theft before Balbriggan District Court on 10 August of the previous year. The Director of Public Prosecutions had directed a summary disposal of the case. Defence solicitor Fiona D'Arcy noted the youth's difficult upbringing, including physical abuse from his mother, and that he has no drink or drug problem.
In Balbriggan District Court on 27 March 2014, David Donnelly, aged 20, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to Jennifer Coffey in Lusk Graveyard on 5 August 2012, fracturing her nose. He received a six‑month suspended sentence and was bound to the peace for two years. Donnelly also pleaded guilty to harassing Coffey's father, Michael, on 6 April 2013, and was ordered to a probation bond for 18 months and to comply with Probation Services. He was required to complete a Victim Awareness course and take prescribed medication. The court noted his high risk of re‑offending if he does not adhere to treatment. Separately, Sean Lynch, 26, was remanded on continuing bail for assault involving a lit cigarette in a victim's eye, with the case adjourned to 24 April pending further disclosure. Paul Boylan, 35, was charged with possession of false number plates; his case was scheduled for a hearing on 9 June at Swords District Court.
In a Balbriggan District Court hearing on 20 March 2014, Lorraine Sherry of Thomastown in Loughshinny brought a complaint against her neighbour Gail Corr, also of the same address, over the constant barking of Corr's two dogs – a Boxer cross and a Labrador Collie cross. Sherry said the dogs were kept in a small pen beside Corr's house and barked at everything, including through her daughter's bedroom and kitchen, and even when someone knocked on her door. She claimed the dogs barked repeatedly until 5 am on 15 February and 15 March, and that Corr had made no effort to stop them. Sherry had sent a registered letter to Corr, received no reply, and then took the case to court. Corr denied the allegations, saying her dogs were indoor and only let out for walks, and that she had spoken to other neighbours who had no complaints.
Guigin Zhang, director of Riverside Chinese Takeaway in Swords, was convicted and fined for employing illegal workers. She was charged with employing one worker without a work permit on 7 May 2013 and two other workers without permits on 5 January 2013. Inspector Ray Curran visited the takeaway on 7 May, discovered the first unauthorized employee, and asked Ms Zhang about others. She identified the two additional workers who had worked without permits on 1 January. Ms Zhang cooperated fully and had no prior convictions for similar offences. Her solicitor confirmed that no employees are currently working without permits and that the business is not very profitable. Judge Dermot Dempsey, aware that the maximum penalty for each offence is €4,000, fined Ms Zhang €300 for the first offence and €200 for the second offence, taking the third offence into consideration. The takeaway remains in operation under her management since August 2012.
At Balbriggan District Court, David Yeomons pleaded guilty to driving without insurance, driving without a driving licence, and having no NCT. Judge Dermot Dempsey disqualified him from driving for two years and fined him €400 for the insurance offence and €100 for the licence offence, taking the other charges into consideration. In a separate matter, Intaras Balans was alleged to have committed drink driving, driving while disqualified, driving without a licence, and possessing a false tax and insurance disc. The Director of Public Prosecutions directed summary disposal, keeping the case in the District Court. Judge Dempsey adjourned the proceedings until June 9th and remanded Balans on continuing bail. Additionally, Paul Nwoso was alleged to have drink driven and committed several other motoring offences. His case was adjourned until April 3rd, and he was remanded on continuing bail. A 17-year-old defendant, who pleaded guilty to theft from a Skerries pharmacy, was sentenced to three months' imprisonment, suspended, and bound to the peace for two years.
In Balbriggan District Court, Jackie Gallagher, aged 53, was convicted of stealing €50 from the purse of an 87‑year‑old dementia patient at Baldrumman Manor in Lusk on 18 April 2013. The theft was captured on CCTV. Gallagher, a former qualified nurse who had worked as a health‑check nurse and later as a carer, pleaded guilty. She explained that she had been struggling with depression and alcohol use, and that she had taken the money because she did not have enough for petrol. The judge described the act as despicable and imposed a fine of €750, noting that the victim was vulnerable and that the offence could not go unpunished. Gallagher has since stopped working as a carer and now sells electronic cigarettes and babysits. The conviction is final pending any appeal.
In a Balbriggan District Court hearing on 6 March 2014, a 21‑year‑old chef from Skerries, Richard Devine, pleaded guilty to assaulting a man named Shane Christy and causing criminal damage to Christy's car. The incident occurred on 3 May 2013 outside a Chinese takeaway in Rush, Co. Dublin, when Devine, allegedly intoxicated, approached Christy's Nissan Micra, headbutted and punched him, and then kicked the car door, resulting in €800 worth of damage. Christy suffered minor nose injuries. Devine, with no prior convictions, admitted the offence and sent an apology letter. Judge Dermot Dempsey warned that to avoid a conviction, Devine must pay compensation to Christy and complete 200 hours of voluntary work. The case was adjourned to 29 May for further proceedings.
At Balbriggan District Court, Peter Flood (32) pleaded guilty to assault causing harm after allegedly headbutting his former partner, breaking her nose. Judge Dermot Dempsey sentenced Flood to 240 hours of community service work in lieu of a six-month prison term, bound him to the peace for two years, and ordered him to continue anger management and drug treatment. In a separate matter, David El Masri (32) pleaded guilty to custody of equipment for making copies and ten charges of copying movies for sale. Judge Dempsey struck out the case after El Masri paid €500 to Balbriggan St Vincent de Paul and ordered the destruction of counterfeit material. Neil O'Brion (27) pleaded guilty to using threatening and abusive behaviour towards gardai. His case was struck out following a €500 donation to AWARE charity. Finally, Bridget McDonagh (27), who is alleged to have committed social welfare fraud by concealing allowances, was remanded on continuing bail. The judge granted the State eight additional weeks to complete the book of evidence, with McDonagh scheduled to reappear on May 8th.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.