Christmas redemption and contrition at a rural Kerry courthouse
The KerrymanIt was a short winter’s day sitting before Judge David Waters at the Cahersiveen courthouse last Thursday.
John Paul Farrell (48) of Cherry Tree B&B, Muckross Road, Killarney pleaded guilty to the theft of €180 runners from JD Sports at The Outlet Centre, Killarney, on December 10, 2025. The shoes were recovered. He was due to appear again by video link in Tralee on December 17.
Nicholas Ledbetter (41) of Nutleg Road, Dennybrock, Dublin 4 was fined €450 and given a two-year disqualification for dangerous driving. The court heard he drove through a checkpoint at Laharn, Killorglin on August 9.
“He stopped about 200 metres down the road, judge…” said his solicitor, Brendan Ahern.
“He was stopped,” clarified Sgt O’Brien.
Mr Ahern accepted the clarification. “He thought he was being waved through the checkpoint, he was very co-operative with gardaí,” he noted. He said Mr Ledbetter travels regularly between London and Dublin and, although the disqualification would profoundly affect him, he had accepted his mistake.
Jordan O’Connors (32) of Garrane West, Killorglin, was fined €350 for driving without insurance. His solicitor, Padraig O’Connell, noted he had changed a prior court appearance because he was captaining the Irish basketball team and playing in a European tournament. He had no previous convictions. “He totally regrets what’s happened and will never be in court again,” said Mr O’Connell.
Aidan O’Sullivan (40) of 5 Iveragh Park, Killorglin, appeared on charges including theft and intoxication in a public place to a degree that may endanger himself or others.
Solicitor Brendan Ahern noted there was an offence after a period of good conduct and Mr O’Sullivan had taken it upon himself to inform probation services.
“He seems to have turned a corner,” said Mr Ahern.
“I’ll give him the opportunity to continue,” said the judge.
He added, “We’ll see how he gets on over Christmas and into the New Year.” He adjourned his case to February 12 for sentencing, under continued supervision of the probation services.
Chacko Saji (45) of New Street, Cahersiveen, who is charged with exposing his genitals “intending to cause fear, distress or alarm”, had his case adjourned to January 8 to set a hearing date or enter a plea. The judge asked if he had adhered to bail conditions, which ordered him to keep away from Cahersiveen public toilets. “So far, judge,” said Sergeant Stephen O’Brien.
Sebastian Zabura (34) of Millbrook Village, Milltown was expected to appear on a theft charge for stealing a €56.98 bottle of vodka from Eurospar on Upper Bridge Street, Killorglin on August 7. A translator was present but Mr Zabura was not. The judge issued a bench warrant.