Tralee Court Round-up: Judge criticises backlog in driving tests as court hears local offences
The KerrymanA full gallery congregated before Judge David Waters at Tralee District Court where cases of no insurance, unlawful possession of drugs, and theft were all heard.
The judge struck a charge against Jim Burke (20) of Rahoonane, Tralee for driving without a licence. The court heard he received his full licence “a few days later”. The judge noted Mr Burke had already organised a test and bureaucratic delays forced people to wait months. “There’s such a backlog, somebody should be able to book and do a test within a month,” said Judge Waters.
John Michael Lyne (42) of Maulin, Ballyheigue was fined €300 for driving without insurance. “He has eight tractors, three diggers and all kinds of machinery, works seven days and seven nights a week,” said his solicitor Pat Mann. He had no priors and insured his transit van immediately the next morning when informed it was uninsured.
John Dineen (55) of Arlington Lodge, Tralee was fined €340 for the theft of eight cans from Dunnes Stores on 24 July, totalling €19.50 in value. There was no loss. Solicitor Pat Man described his client as “very gentle and very soft spoken”. “He’s very mild mannered but unfortunately has an addiction problem,” said Mr Man. Judge Waters said it was his “last time with fines”.
James Cronin (47) of Finnegans Hostel, Tralee was put on probation for theft charges from supermarkets on August 21, October 2 and October 3 totalling €39.20. “The probation services seem to believe they can work with him,” said the Judge. “I’m prepared to give him that chance. But if he walks into one shop and picks up one can, he’s in jail for the bones of a year.”
James Crean (20) of 45 Ogham Rian, Tralee was convicted and remanded on bail under the supervision of the probation services until October 7, 2026 for public order and drug possession charges from January 26 and a summons for drug possession from 14 December, 2024. The court heard he was arrested on public order on Ashe Street on January 26 after he threatening gardaí and had €250 of cannabis and €20 of cocaine on his person.
Connor Hopkins (21) of Eli Crescent, Tallaght, Dublin 4 was fined €400 for possession of €90 worth of ketamine on January 13, taking into account charges for possession of €209.44 worth of cocaine and €23.60 worth of cannabis.
Eron Baftijari (20) of Caheranne Village, Ballyvelly, Tralee was fined €100 for avoiding gardaí at a checkpoint near Manor West, Tralee. “He swerved left without indicating and drove behind some hedging,” said the court presenter. Mr Mann said his client was “gripped with social anxiety” but added “nobody ever believes the defence”.