Listowel court round-up: January brings a crowd to North Kerry courtroom
The KerrymanListowel District Court had just one sitting in the month of January and, perhaps because of this, the courtroom was crowded with people seated and standing along its walls as Judge David Waters measured the day's cases.
Damien Ely (36) of Ballygraigue, Nenagh was fined €200 for intoxication to an extent he could be a danger to himself or others for “roaring and shouting and running at the door outside the pub, judge”. His solicitor said he returned the following day and apologised.
Liam Dunne (34) of Maaglass, Ballymacelligot was ordered to pay €300 to The Grove Addiction Treatment Centre for possession of €80 of cocaine. He had no previous convictions.
Justin Ziga (22) of Main Street, Tralee was given a three-month suspended sentence with a four-year disqualification for driving without a licence. He had 13 previous convictions, including four for driving without insurance and three for driving without a licence. “He wants to draw a line under everything,” said his solicitor Padraig O’Connell. The judge noted, “If he sits behind the wheel of a car, he can expect the worst.”
Thomas Moroney (29) of Main Street, Glen, Limerick was sentenced to three months prison and an eight-year disqualification for driving without a licence, and a concurrent four-month prison sentence with a four-year disqualification for driving without insurance on August 31, 2024 at Cliff House, Ballybunion. He was pulled over because he had only one headlight working. Mr Moroney had several previous convictions for driving without insurance and driving without a licence. “He’s certainly after falling off a sea cliff today, judge,” said solicitor Mr O’Connell, who noted his client was a “very affable young man”.
Tapiwa Nhembe (37) of Woodfields, Ballymacelligot was fined €500 for failing to secure a load after a number of plastic pipes he carried in a tipper truck came loose and hit another vehicle traveling on the road. “There was no particular manoeuvre, just the fact it was being driving unsecured,” said Sgt Stephen O’Brien. The court heard he had left the appropriate ties in a different vehicle. “He lost his employment subsequently, that’s a huge punishment for him,” said his solicitor Mr O’Connell.
Marek Dul (36) of 40 O’Connell's Avenue, Listowel received a three-month sentence, suspended for two years for possession of a controlled drug and for possession for sale and supply on June 6, 2023. The court heard he had cannabis at his home, which was found in three separate bags and intended for “good friends”. His previous convictions included three for possession and one for sale and supply, which is a section 15. “A third section 15 and I don’t think I’ll be able to do anything for him,” said the judge.