Cahersiveen court round-up: drugs in a fishing village, horses on the road to Puck

By Anna Zacharias, The Kerryman

From a driver distracted by horses, to a drugs search in Portmagee, a range of short cases came before Judge David Waters at the Cahersiveen courthouse on Thursday.

On the Killorglin Court District list, Kieran John O’Connor (25) of Taur, Newmarket, Cork was fined €300 after a garda spotted him driving with a device on her way to Puck Fair.

Garda Danielle O’Connor spotted Mr O’Connor driving slowly up a hill and holding a tablet-like device on the N70, Tinnahally, Kerry on August 10, 2025. “He was carrying horses and he was checking something to do with the horses,” she testified.

For Cahersiveen cases, Finlay Walters (20) of Doora, Portmagee pleaded to possession of cocaine for sale or supply. Gardai found 10 bags of cocaine valued at €520 at Doora, Portmagee on May 3, 2024. It was his first criminal conviction.

“You’ll note the date of the offence and you’ll note his date of birth,” said solicitor Padraig O’Connell to the judge. “He was only 19 at the time, very foolish and rather naive.”

Michael F. Quirk & Sons of Rangue, Killorglin was fined €350 for causing or permitting someone to drive in their service when he did not hold the appropriate driver certificate for the vehicle. The truck was stopped on a routine check on August 7, 2025. The driver held a card expired in 2019 and planned to renew it, the court heard.

Paschal O’Brien (37) of Elm Drive, Milltown was fined €400 and disqualified from driving for three years after driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor. He was stopped by a garda on active patrol on October 8, 2025. When tested, he blew 96 mcg per 100 ml of breath, more than four times the legal limit. “It’s quite high, it has to be accepted,” said Mr O’Connell.

Aidan O’Sullivan (40) of Iveragh Park, Killorglin had repaid all financial losses for a series of thefts, the court heard. The judge sentenced him to consecutive four-month sentences, suspended for a year. “He’s clearly someone who is back on the straight and narrow,” said his solicitor Brendan Ahern, noting his client was in full employment and engaged in counselling services. “He’s done everything he’s supposed to do.” The judge took into consideration his positive engagement in probation services, early plea and previous good past.