Killarney court round-up: Unwelcome slumber and unprofessional behaviour

By Anna Zacharias, The Kerryman

At Killarney District Court there were cases of unlicensed alcohol, unlicensed televisions and a man who could not keep awake on High Street.

The session before Judge David Waters began with 18 people convicted for failure to obtain a TV licence, resulting in more than €3,500 in fines and legal fees.

Then, Gregorsz Kasperkiewicz (40) of Woodville Park, Killeen, Tralee was fined €250 for the theft of diesel from a petrol pump at Sheehan’s, Farranfore, on October 23, 2024.

The court heard that he “let on he was with a rental company that had an account there” to avoid paying €105.20. “The very same day he repaid the loss to the shop,” his solicitor Brendan Ahern told the court. Mr Ahern said his client later told this to gardaí but as he had no proof, he returned and repaid the bill a second time.

Ryan Duggan (26) of Pynes Valley, Ballyvolane, Co Cork was fined €250 after pleading guilty to possession of €50 worth of cocaine at Twohills Lane, Killarney, on St Stephen’s Day, 2025. Gardaí were on the beat when they saw Mr Duggan, who fumbled with his pockets and subsequently ran when they wanted to conduct a search.

GDA Hospitality of Clough, Rockchapel, Co Cork was fined €632.50 after pleading guilty to serving beer and wine without the correct licence on August 7, 2025 at Little Italy, Newmarket Lane, Killarney.

Dariusz Siwiec (55) of Pine Crest, Woodlawn Road, Killarney was fined €200 for intoxication to an extent it could be a danger to himself or others at High Street, Killarney on January 19, 2026 at 2.30pm. “Gardaí arrived and found this man asleep on the ground,” Sergeant Stephen O’Brien told the court. It happened again a week later at 11am when Mr Siwiec was found “asleep on the ground on High Street”.

Ross Lonergan (30) of Knockmeal, Ballinamult, Clogheen, Tipperary was ordered to donate €500 to garda charity Little Blue Heroes. He was convicted of intoxication in a public place and a failure to comply with the direction of a member of An Garda Síochána on Main Street, Killarney at 2.50am on April 21, 2025. After approaching gardaí, he was asked to leave, to which he replied, “you’re not my boss”.

The judge observed, “The only reason he’s here is his own stupidity”.

His solicitor, Mr Ahern, noted his client was a professional who had come from Waterford to attend court.

“He certainly didn’t behave very professionally on the night,” said the judge.

Mr Ahern noted that although Mr Lonergan had been “a nuisance”, he had not displayed abuse or aggression. The judge promised to leave him with a criminal record if convicted again in Kerry.