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Swords District Court round-up

Summary

Swords District Court heard four matters presided over by Judge Dermot Dempsey. Valerie Quaid, who pleaded guilty to being intoxicated, failing to comply with garda direction, and using threatening and abusive behaviour, failed to appear after a previous order for a Probation & Welfare Report. Consequently, the judge imposed the default sentence of one month in prison and issued a bench warrant for her arrest. Laura Sheils pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and without insurance. She received a three-month suspended sentence, was disqualified from driving for five years for the disqualification offence, and for a further three years for driving without insurance. Edward Byrne pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis herb. The judge convicted him and imposed a fine of €200. Sebestian Knecht did not appear in court. The judge proceeded on a not guilty plea and convicted him of using an altered driving licence, being in custody of a false insurance disc, and driving without insurance. A bench warrant was issued for his arrest for the purpose of sentencing. Recognisances were fixed in the event of an appeal for Quaid and Sheils.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Swords District Court round-up. Charges or matters: being intoxicated; failing to comply with garda direction; using threatening and abusive behaviour; possession of cannabis herb; driving while disqualified; driving without insurance; using an altered driving licence; being in custody of a false insurance disc. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Convicted

When:

• July 18th Hearing Or Sentence
• June 6th, 2012 Incident
• May 2nd, 2013 Incident
• September 3rd, 2013 Incident
• 2014-02-10 Publication

Why: Quaid's solicitor told the court that Quaid had apologised to gardai and explained that she became upset that day and started drinking after her son had gone missing. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Road Traffic Stage Sentence

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Read the original CNI report