Wicklow District Court round-up: shoplifting, assault and driving with no insurance among cases heard

By Darragh McCann, The Wicklow People

Several cases were heard before Bray District Court and Arklow District Court recently, including relating to incidences of assault, shoplifting, drunken behaviour and driving with no insurance.

Dylan Deegan (28) of Apartment 10 Block 1B, Citywest Quarter, Tallaght, Dublin 24 was charged with an assault causing harm at Abbey Street, Arklow to Jason Douglas, and with entering a building known as 22 St Bridget’s Terrace in Arklow as a trespasser and attempting to commit assault on July 10, 2025.

Mr Deegan appeared before Arklow District Court, where Judge David Kennedy was told that directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) are awaited.

The court heard Mr Deegan was already in custody on a separate matter, but had been on bail in relation to charges before the court. The case was adjourned for eight weeks.

The case is due back before the court on November 12 for DPP directions.

Molly Murnane (21) of 20 Cluain Ard Court, Sea Road, Arklow, Co. Wicklow was charged at Arklow District Court with intoxication in a public place at Cluain Ard Court, Arklow, Co. Wicklow,and driving without insurance at the Courtyard, Heatherside, Arklow, Co. Wicklow. Ms Murnane pleaded guilty to all charges.

The court heard that on August 13, 2024, a garda noticed Ms Murnane pulling out of a parking space and then pulling back into the space when she noticed the garda driving past in his patrol car.

The court was told that the garda parked up near by and waited for Ms Murnane to enter the vehicle again before approaching her. Murnane was subsequently charged for driving with no insurance.

Ms Murnane’s solicitor told the court that his client was going through a tough time after the passing of her brother in June 2024. He told the court that his client is enrolled in BIFE (Bray Institute of Further Education) for the upcoming academic year and is going to study computer science.

The court heard Ms Murnane is currently earning €130 per week.

Judge David Kennedy imposed a €100 fine, with four months to pay for the intoxication in a public place, and banned Ms Murnane from driving for two years for the driving with no insurance.

James Whelan (43) of 1 Wells Cross, Ballyedmond, Gorey, Co. Wexford appeared before Bray District Court on an application to have his driving licence restored.

The court heard Mr Whelan had previously been disqualified from driving for a period of ten years, following a conviction for dangerous driving on August 18, 2016.

Mr Whelan’s solicitor told the court that his client had changed his life around since his conviction and has moved to the UK and started a family. The court was told that since moving to the UK, Mr Whelan has gained full-time employment as a ground worker.

He is looking for his licence to be restored as he is looking to get a licence to drive a digger and dumper to help further his career. Judge David Kennedy was shown a letter from UK police stating that Mr Whelan has not come to the attention of police whilst living in the UK.

Judge Kennedy adjourned the matter to September 15, 2025 at Bray District Court.

Margaret Connors (27) of Glasnarget, Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow was charged at Arklow District Court with using a false instrument (two counterfeit €50 notes) and obtaining services by deception (€100 electricity credit) at Kinsella’s Shop, Beach Road, Arklow on 29 September 2024.

The court heard there was no appearance from Ms Connors, so Judge David Kennedy issued a bench warrant.

A warrant has also been issued for the arrest of Leon Somers, of Backpackers Hostel, Gardiner Street, Dublin 1.

He is accused of trespass on the Dublin Road, Bray, on July 11, 2023, and of stealing alcohol worth €140 from Tesco, Greystones, on May 30, 2025.

He is further charged with the theft of alcohol valued at €28.98 from Centra, Kilcoole, on May 16, 2023

The court heard that Mr Somers’s solicitor had contacted his mother and was told she has no idea of his whereabouts. He added that Mr Somers’s had had prior promises to be in court the day of the hearing.

The court was told that Somers’s has come to the attention of gardaí since his release from prison on an unrelated matter.

Dean McKeever (22), of Rutland Avenue Flats, Crumlin, Dublin 12, faced charges at Bray District Court arising from incidents in Bray last year.

Mr McKeever is charged with being intoxicated in a public place at Blind Lane, Bray, on September 21, 2024. He is further accused of using threatening and abusive behaviour, and of stealing alcohol worth €37 from SuperValu, Bray, on August 31, 2024.

The court heard Mr McKeever was also due in the Central Criminal Courts in Dublinon unrelated matters on the same day.

Judge David Kennedy issued a Section 8 bench warrant for Mr McKeever.

Wayne Breen, (32) of The Pines, Sea Road, Arklow, Co Wicklow, appeared before Arklow District Court charged with assault causing harm on December 21, 2024, at Bridgewater Shopping Centre, North Quay, Arklow.

The court heard that the injured party “was at a bicycle stand and was struck in the head and nose multiple times”. The injured party allegedly suffered a “broken nasal septum”.

Mr Breen’s solicitor had an application for disclosure granted, he was given a copy of the CCTV of the incident.

Judge David Kennedy accepted jurisdiction. The case was adjourned to October 15, 2025, for plea or a further date.

Today's News in 90 Seconds - September 16th

Cian Flynn (24), of Seaview House, The Bungalows, St Laurence’s, Wicklow, appeared before the court charged with having no insurance and failing to produce an insurance certificate at Tinahilly Upper, Aughrim, Co Wicklow, on April 20, 2025.

The court heard Mr Flynn swapped seats with his then girlfriend before a garda checkpoint. Mr Flynn’s solicitor told the court that his client was previously insured with AXA Insurance through SuperValu, but his former girlfriend changed policy to AXA, and he was no longer main driver on the policy.

The court was told Mr Flynn is qualified plumber earning €700 per week, of which he gives €150 per week to his grandmother, who he lives with. Judge David Kennedy was given a character reference from Mr Flynn’s employer.

Mr Flynn’s solicitor said that his client recognises his actions “were pure stupidity”. He added that “he puts his hands up” and that it was an error of judgement.

Judge Kennedy fined him €1,500 with five months to pay.

Agnes Czapla (46), of 4 Fastnet, Marina Village, Arklow, Co Wicklow, was charged with theft at Holland and Barrett, Wexford Road, Arklow, on May 13, 2025, and with theft at Tesco Ireland Ltd, Wexford Road, Arklow, on the same date.

The court heard that while in Tesco Ms Czapla purchased some items and concealed the rest. The court was told Ms Czapla is a Polish national who works in the Arklow area and “has three small kids to feed”.

Ms Czapla’s solicitor told the court it was “a case of desperation” and “opportunism”. Judge David Kennedy warned Ms Czapla that he never wants to see her back in his court room again.

Ms Czapla pleaded guilty to all charges and was fined €400 with six months to pay.