Three defendants opt to represent themselves at Sligo District Court amidst legal aid dispute

By Nathan Molloy, The Sligo Champion

Three defendants represented themselves at Sligo District Court on Thursday amidst the legal aid dispute between criminal law solicitors and the Minister of Justice Jim O’Callaghan.

Max McGunn (24) of Green Trees, Pearse Road, Sligo was charged with the possession of cocaine at Sligo Garda Station on December 21.

Sergeant Derek Butler told the court that McGunn was searched at Sligo Garda Station by gardaí who found a small amount of cocaine. It was valued at €50.

The court heard that he had no previous convictions.

Judge Éiteáin Cunningham directed McGunn to make a €200 donation to North West Hospice. She told the defendant that if he had a receipt for the donation by March 4, the matter would be struck out.

Ronan Quinlaven (46) of Tuam, Co. Galway was charged with being intoxicated and engaging in insulting, abusive and threatening behaviour at Lord Edward St, Sligo on April 17.

Sergeant Derek Butler told the court that at 10:10pm, gardaí were en route to a call when they observed two very intoxicated men involved in an argument outside a takeaway.

Quinlaven was rolling around the ground with the other man involved before gardaí separated them. Both men were co-operative with gardaí, apologised and were embarrassed by their behaviour.

The court heard that Quinlaven had 16 previous convictions.

Representing himself, the defendant initially told Judge Éiteáin Cunningham that he had no explanation for his actions but later said that he went drinking after work and had too much to drink.

Noting that he had a significant amount of previous convictions, Judge Cunningham fined Quinlaven €300 for the engaging in threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour. She took into consideration the other charge.

Michael Ward (26) of Glenview Park, Ash Lane, Sligo was charged with failing to provide a garda with his name and address at Teeling St, Sligo on February 19.

Sergeant Derek Butler told the court that at 1:51pm, Teeling St Sligo, gardaí observed Ward along with four other men on the steps of Sligo Courthouse shouting and swearing at passing vehicles.

The five men were told to disperse by gardaí. However, a short time later, gardaí again spotted Ward loitering at Sligo Courthouse.

The defendant refused to give his name and address to gardaí, and he was arrested and conveyed to Sligo Garda Station. Handcuffs could not be put on Ward as he kept resisting arrest.

The court heard that Ward had six previous convictions.

Representing himself, Ward told Judge Éiteáin Cunningham that he would like to apologise for his behaviour. However, he added that he did not do anything wrong and said that the garda did not give him time to give his his details before he was arrested.

Judge Cunningham asked him if he was pleading guilty or if he wanted to contest the matter. Ward replied that he wanted to get it over with.

When asked if he thought his actions were acceptable to gardaí, Ward replied that he had “nothing to say”.

Judge Cunningham asked the defendant if he wanted to apologise to gardaí. Ward replied yes.

Noting his previous convictions, Judge Cunningham fined Ward €500.

Article funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme