Tralee Court round-up: a football club theft and an alleged attempted robbery on Edward Street

By Anna Zacharias, The Kerryman

At a recent sitting of Tralee District Court, the court heard a plea to a football club theft and allegetions of an attempted Edward Street robbery.

Volodymyr Vorobiov (32) of Ocean View, Portmagee was sent forward to Tralee Circuit Court for charges related to an alleged August hijacking in Tralee. He has been in custody since mid-October.

John Paul Farrell (47) of Balcoop, Muckross Road, Killarney was sent forward on a signed guilty plea to Tralee Circuit Court on a charge of an attempted robbery of Boylesports on Edward Street in Tralee on November 1.

Paula Walsh (46) of 16 Gort An Riain, Tralee appeared for four thefts and a number of public order charges. The thefts totalled at least €164.20 at premises including Gala in Fair Hill, Killarney, Sherwood’s Bar in Farranfore and Kerins O’Rahillys GAA Club.

The court heard of public order offences including difficulties at a hospital emergency department with staff, an argument with neighbours at Gortagoreen that required gardaí to use pepper spray and an incident in Blennerville where she was ‘shouting profanities’ at people. There was also a charge of trespass on November 17 at the house of someone known to the defendant and a report from the same day of verbal abuse on Brewery Road, Tralee.

Ms Walsh had been in custody since November 19.

“Judge, I think perhaps a probation report would be helpful,” said her solicitor, Nuala Liston. “Let her out and adjourn matters.”

She was remanded on bail to Tralee District Court on March 21 under the supervision of the probation services.

Matthew Maloney (79) of Stradbally, Castlegregory did not appear in court. Solicitor Brendan Ahern presented a letter from a medical practitioner stating a court appearance would be ‘stressful’ and ‘challenging’ for Mr Maloney, who faces burglary charges.

Judge David Waters replied the certificate did not excuse his attendance because it did not provide a medical reason as to why he could not physically attend.

“Ninety per cent of people would find it challenging and stressful,” said the judge. He adjourned and noted, “If he’s not here and there’s no cert for that, I’ll issue a warrant for his arrest.”

Paul O’Brien (44) received a four-month sentence, suspended for a year, for the theft of 30 plastic storage containers from Mr Price on July 9, 2025. The containers were valued at €450. The containers were not for sale but “used in the delivery of goods”, said Ms Liston.

Trevor Wall (36) of Arlington Lodge, Tralee faced several theft charges from Tralee businesses including Specsavers, CH Chemist and Tesco. The loss was repaid on all thefts, which were committed in the first half of 2025. He had 131 previous convictions, including 50 thefts with his last conviction in December 2024.

“But sure, he’s just continuing to offend,” said the judge. “He got six months in December and right through ’25 he’s been committing offences.”

“Up until August,” clarified his solicitor, Mr Ahern.

Judge Waters convicted and sentenced Mr Walsh to six months for each conviction, to run concurrently and suspended for two years.

Meanwhile, Isabella Keogh (23) of Hazelwood House, Ballylickey, Cork was ordered to pay the €500 she had brought to court for an ex-partner she assaulted at Hennessy’s Bar on Upper Castle Street, Tralee in November 2023. Her solicitor, Mr Ahern, noted it was ‘completely out of character’.