New-year resolve or a winter’s chill? A Kerry court quietly rings in 2026
The KerrymanIt could be that a new year brings out the best in us.
Or it could be the cold keeping people indoors and out of trouble, as one garda suggested.
Whatever the reason, the Killarney courthouse was near empty on last Tuesday, its first District Court in 2026. Just six people sat in the gallery overlooking the courtroom floor, outnumbered by solicitors and gardaí below.
Sied Harazi (19) of Forge Park, Tralee, was one of the few present. He pleaded guilty to failure to pay for a hotel room, and two other thefts. He was charged with theft for neglecting to pay for a €265 hotel room at The Rose Hotel, Tralee on July 28, 2025. He was also charged with the theft of three bottles of liquor, totalling €88.50, from Tesco on New Street, Killarney on August 30, 2025 and for the theft of a €42 bottle of liquor from Centra on Main Street, Killarney on September 5, 2025.
His solicitor suggested Mr Harazi would collect the money owed if sentencing were delayed.
Judge David Waters obliged. Mr Harazi will be sentenced on January 28 at Tralee District Court.
Richard Coffey (46) of Park Court, Beach Road, Killarney pleaded guilty to the theft of alcohol valued at €27 from Tesco, New Street, Killarney on November 20, 2024.
He had 112 previous convictions, including 23 previous thefts. The court heard his most recent theft was from September, 2021.
“Apart from the theft itself, he’s put everything right,” said his solicitor, Brendan Ahern.
The judge gave him a five-month suspended sentence, noting four years had passed since his last theft. But his lenience came with a warning that another theft conviction would bring a jail sentence. “I promise him now and you now, I’ll remember,” said the judge.
Jakub Milczarek (27) of Building 2, Central Point, Park Road, Killarney pleaded guilty to a series of road traffic charges on August 9, 2024 at Woodlands Road, Park, Killarney. He had no previous traffic-related convictions, said Sgt Stephen O’Brien.
Mr Milczarek’s solicitor, Pat Mann, noted his client had not driven in a year-and-a-half. “He didn’t know his insurance had run out,” said the solicitor.
Mr Milczarek was fined €350 for driving without insurance, €250 for driving without tax and fined €320 for driving unaccompanied on a learner’s licence, taking into account a conviction for the non-display of a learner’s plate.
Con Ryan (29) of 23 Holy Cross Gardens, Rock Road, Killarney was charged with threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour. The court heard Mr Ryan was found to be “aggressive” to gardaí on Main Street, Killarney, just before midnight on October 8, 2025 and threatened, “I’ll remember you and I’ll get you”.
Mr Ryan had 100 previous convictions, including seven for threatening or abusive language.
“And he’s still at this nonsense,” observed the judge.
Mr Ryan “abjectly apologises”, said his solicitor, Padraig O’Connell, adding: “He acted above his station and has ended up in the garda station”.
Judge Waters adjourned until February 17 for a report to determine Mr Ryan’s suitability for community service.
“If he’s not willing to do that, it will be two months in prison,” noted the judge.
“He will certainly do that,” said Mr O’Connell.