Judge warns Louth man (73) accused of assault, ‘you don’t understand how serious this is’

By Francis Carroll, The Drogheda Independent

A 73-year-old man before Dundalk Court for finalisation of his case has had the matter further adjourned.

James Doyle, Bellingham Green, Castlebellingham, Co. Louth was summonsed for two counts of assault in a cemetery.

He is also accused of using or engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour or words arising from the same incident at Kilsaran Cemetery on September 3, 2023.

At a hearing last May, defence counsel submitted that a probation report was quite positive in respect of the conclusions it reached.

Mr Doyle was assessed at being at low risk of re-offending.

Counsel stressed that the offending occurred in a particular context and said the unfortunate reality was that his client attending these kind of occasions "isn't on the cards".

Judge Stephanie Coggans noted "he continues to ruminate over grievances".

On that occasion, the case was put back to September 3.

Then, court presenter Sgt Richie Browne said it is alleged that a Victim Impact Statement had been “circulated to other parties” by the accused.

Solicitor Conor MacGuill said that he was holding a watching brief. He was aware of this difficulty and had brought it to the attention of Gardaí.

Sgt Browne continued it was “borderline intimidation”. He didn’t know in terms of a Garda investigation or additional charges.

Neither had he ever seen a Victim Impact Statement disclosed to the alleged offender.

Judge Coggans remarked, “This nonsense is going on from the Seventies”.

"You don’t understand how serious this is,” the judge said to Mr Doyle.

The case was adjourned to January 14 for an updated probation report and a Victim Impact Report.

Legal aid was granted and the court certified for counsel.