'Blatant' contempt of witness who went to Ayia Napa instead of giving evidence sees him jailed

At the Central Criminal Court, Darragh O'Connor of Deermount, Deerpark, Cork was sentenced to two months imprisonment for contempt of court. Justice David Keane described the contempt as "blatant and premeditated", noting that O'Connor had prioritised a holiday to Cyprus over his legal obligation to give evidence as a witness in a trial. O'Connor had been served with a witness order requiring his attendance at the trial of a 16-year-old accused, which commenced on 28 May 2021. Instead, he travelled to Ayia Napa on 27 May and remained unavailable when the trial proceeded. He returned to Ireland on 28 June and was subsequently arrested. Justice Keane stressed that failure to comply with witness summonses and the resulting trial disruptions cannot be tolerated. O'Connor admitted the contempt charge. His co-accused, Craig O'Donoghue of Killala Court, Knocknaheeney, Cork, had his sentencing adjourned after testing positive for Covid-19.