Wexford District Court round-up: Explosive devices, assaults on gardai and drink driving among cases heard
Wexford PeopleAdjournment For Man With Suspected Explosive Device
A Wexford man facing charges relating to the possession of an explosive device in his home has been granted bail.
Sean Bergin (35) of 45 Wolfe Tone Villas, Wexford, who was originally granted bail at Wexford District Court on April 15 while awaiting directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions, appeared at Wexford District Court on June 9.
Bergin was arrested on Friday April 11 and charged with possessing an “improvised explosive device, – two explosives with 15 ball bearings in a container, wrapped in plastic” at his home in Wolfe Tone Villas, Wexford.
To date DPP directions are still awaited and the matter was further adjourned to September 8 for these directions.
A Wexford woman appeared before Wexford District Court for refusal to give a sample of her breath at the scene of a road collision.
The court heard that Ciara Murray (27) of Trinity, Taghmon, Wexford, was involved in a single vehicle road collision on January 30 2024 where she accepted she was the driver of the vehicle but refused to give a breath sample when Gardaí requested her to do so. It was alleged that Ms. Murray blew a short breath purposely so that the test would read insufficient.
Gerry Flynn, solicitor for the defendant, told the court Murray is a woman of no previous convictions and on the day she simply panicked as she had been drinking. Mr. Flynn informed the court that Murray has recently given birth to her first child and asked that the mandatory disqualification be postponed until September in order for her to make alternative arrangements.
Judge Kevin Staunton imposed the mandatory four year disqualification from driving to commence on October 1 2025.
A man appeared before Wexford District Court on charges of harassing a female employee at an IPAS centre he was attending.
Muhammad Waqas (25) of 17 Mayglare Village, Maynooth, Kildare was accuse of sending the female employee multiple texts in order to arrange a date. The court heard the employee blocked Mr. Waqas’s phone number but he then contacted her from a different phone.
Eric Furlong, instructed by Eileen O’Neill solicitor, read a passage from the Garda interview of the defendant where he said that he “basically liked her” and was apologetic for his actions and admitted he was wrong. Mr. Furlong told the court that Waqas is a 25-year-old man from Pakistan and has moved from Cashel to Monaghan to Rosslare before eventually settling where he is now in Kildare since his arrival in Ireland. He is currently ten months sober and pleaded guilty to the offence at an early stage.
After hearing the facts Judge Staunton applied section 1(2) of the Probation Act and ordered that Waqas enter a probation bond of €200 for two years to say that he will not have any contact with the injured party.
A young Wexford woman was before Wexford District Court for her involvement in a road collision.
The court heard that on the day in question Aine Fitzgerald (21) of Screen, Wexford, was leaving a junction at Larkins Cross, Wexford, where she collided with an ambulance. Garda evidence confirmed that Fitzgerald tested negative for both drugs and alcohol in her system and stated that the junction is a particularly difficult one to navigate.
Tim Cummings, solicitor for the defendant, informed the court that Fitzgerald is a student studying pharmacy and that a conviction may restrict any future plans she has for travel. The defendant is insured on her mother's policy with Redclick who have dealt with the matter, the Personal Injuries Board are also dealing with the matter by way of civil proceedings where Fitzgerald has admitted liability.
Judge Kevin Staunton queried whether there were any injuries and Garda O’Flynn confirmed that Fitzgerald and the two ambulance drivers were taken to hospital but that there were no lasting injuries sustained by anyone involved.
Judge Staunton described the matter as being an “unfortunate accident” that could have happened to anyone in the courtroom and in those circumstances decided to apply section 1(1) of the probation act which notes the incident but is not a conviction.
A Wexford man was before the District Court on charges of assault. Neil Kennedy (53) of 29 King Street, Wexford, plead guilty to charges of assaulting the Gardaí on March 18 2023. It was alleged that on the day in question Kennedy had been involved in an altercation with his neighbour and when Gardaí attended at his home. Kennedy pushed Garda Wilson, causing her to fall down steps. Garda Miley instructed Kennedy to stop and he eventually calmed down.
Edward King, solicitor for the accused, informed the court that on the day in question Kennedy was highly intoxicated and relayed his apologies to An Garda Síochána. Kennedy was subject to a very serious assault not long after the alleged incident which resulted in him being in a coma for a number of weeks. Kennedy is now resident in the UK and has six children. Mr. King told the court that the accused is a man he feels will not come to the court’s attention again.
Gardaí confirmed to the court that the involved members do not which to make a victim impact statement in relation to the incident. Therefore, Judge Staunton instructed Kennedy pay €600 to the Garda Benevolent Fund and adjourned the matter to October 14 to be struck out if this amount was paid.
A Dublin man was found to be driving with no insurance. Gabriel Bida (25) of 127 Westend Village, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, was before Wexford District Court on charges of no insurance and failure to produce.
The court heard that on the day in question Mr. Bida admitted to driving uninsured and that he was driving to work. The vehicle he was driving on the day was registered to his wife and he has since been added to the insurance policy. Gardaí confirmed Mr. Bida was vey cooperative at all times. Judge Staunton fined €500 with four months to pay.
A bench warrant issued for a Wexford woman in relation to drink driving and no insurance matters. Neuza Guerreiro (36) of 1 Kerlogue Manor, Wexford, was not present in court and a bench warrant was issued for sentencing.
Garda White was sworn in and gave evidence that on May 27 2024 at approximately 1am he observed a car driving on the R730 in an improper manner. He stopped the car and while speaking with the driver could smell an intoxicant.
Garda White took a breath sample which returned unsuccessful. He formed the opinion that Guerreiro was driving under the influence of an intoxicant and subsequently arrested her and conveyed her to Wexford Garda Station. When charged Guerreiro made the reply “no I am guilty”. At the station Garda Kelly performed a breath test which showed a reading of 38mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath.
Garda Marshall gave evidence that on November 18 2023 at Roxborough, Wexford, he stopped the vehicle being driven by Guerreiro as the vehicle had no tax, NCT, or insurance. The vehicle was seized and a fixed charge notice was issued that remains unpaid.
Judge Staunton convicted Guerriero in her absence and issued a bench warrant for her sentencing.
A Wexford man pleaded guilty to public order offences when he appeared before Wexford District Court.
The court heard that on November 15 2024 Gerry Connors (38) of 1 St. Munns Villas, Taghmon, Wexford was arrested for public order offences following a dispute with his family.
Gardaí told the court that at the time of the incident Connors was shouting and unsteady on his feet. Edward King, solicitor for the defendant, told the court Connors is 37 years of age with two children. He is also a man of no previous convictions.
Judge Staunton fined the accused €400 and adjourned the matter to November 25 for this amount to be paid to the court poor box.
Two men appeared before Wexford District Court charged with having a stolen van in their possession at Rosslare. Kris Agar (38) of 8 Hilltop, Coventry, UK, and his co-accused Anthony Cogan (37) of 22 Johnstown Gardens, Finglas, Dublin, were both before the court to receive directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The DPP directed that the matter can be dealt with summarily, meaning within the district court. Judge Kevin Staunton accepted jurisdiction in relation to both of the accused.
An order for Gardaí statements was made by Lana Doherty, solicitor for both defendants, and the matter was adjourned to September 8 for the defendants to plead guilty or to receive a hearing date in relation to the matter.
Andrzej Klimczak (27) of Flat 5, 1 Maja 48 Zgierz, Poland, was charged with possession of drugs for the purposes of sale and supply at Rosslare Europort.
The Gardaí informed the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions has directed that this matter be dealt with by trial on indictment. Judge Staunton adjourned the matter six weeks to July 21 for the book of evidence to be served.