Kerry court hears DJ presents a ‘veneer of innocence’ in defence for parking in disabled bay
The KerrymanA DJ swore at gardaí after she was detected illegally parking in a disabled bay, Killarney District Court heard Tuesday.
Alicia O’Callaghan of Kilnamona, Ballingarry, Limerick pled guilty to parking in a disabled bay outside a Killarney nightclub on February first.
However, Solicitor Padraig O’Connell asked that his client wanted to take the stand to provide mitigating evidence as to why she did so.
Ms O’Callaghan told the court, “I have type 1 diabetes, low blood sugar, so my monitor was in the back of the car.”
She said her work required her to carry heavy equipment into Social, a nightclub in Killarney.
“I parked at 11 o’clock, I DJ’d at Social, worked and came back at two or half two.”
Ms O’Callaghan told the court she no opportunity to explain her situation to gardaí when they approached her about parking without the necessary permit.
Garda sergeant Stephen O’Brien, noted that there was more to what happened on the night and that when approached she told the garda to “f** off”, that she “had to park somewhere” and “just give me the f**king ticket”.
Sgt O’Brien noted, “We’re looking for a veneer of innocence here.”
Judge Mark O’Connell observed that “This is another side that he’s been given.”
He fined Ms O’Callaghan €100, to be paid within two months, and warned her to respect gardaí.
“Gardaí have a tough job 24-7 and they need to be treated with respect. If you give respect, I’m sure you will find it.”