Ballyconnell court briefs

Suspended sentence Gabriel Murrihy, 5 Gortoorlan, Ballyconnell, was handed a four month suspended sentence when he pleaded guilty before the local District Court on a public order offence. He was charged that on March 23 at Gortoorlan he used or engaged in threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace. The case was heard at a previous sitting and was adjourned to see if he was suitable for community service. When the judge read the Probation Report he said the defendant would not be able to complete community service due to injuries he sustained in a fall. Pub to close for two days A publican who pleaded guilty at Ballyconnell District Court to serving alcohol to a person under eighteen years of age has been forced to shut his premises for two days by the presiding judge. Sean MacBrien, Agharaskilly, Ballyconnell, was charged with the offence on November 1 at Galligan's Bar, Bridge Street, Ballyconnell, and Judge Sean MacBride also imposed a fine of €300. Superintendent Brian Brunton said Garda Dermot Lavin entered the premises at about 10.35pm and noticed a young man sitting at the counter. He recognised the young man and knew he was under age. The young man had a full pint of larger in front of him. The young man claimed he didn't know who sold him the pint but he thought it was the barman. Garda Lavin spoke to the barman and he admitted serving the young man. Paul O'Reilly, solicitor defending, said his client was supposed to work on the night but his mother took ill in Donegal and he had to go there. He employed the barman who was inexperienced. Mr. McBrien was accepting responsibility himself.Judge MacBride said he hoped the parents of the young man took on board what he was up to. Excess alcohol The following were fined at a sitting of Ballyconnell District Court for driving with excess alcohol: Andy Blewitt, Drumgart, Belturbet, 49mg/100ml breath, €150 and disqualified for two years three months; Gerry Murtagh, 2 Erne Court, Belturbet, 66mg/100ml breath, €400 and disqualified for four years; and Martin McCoy, 14 The Commons, Bellanaleck, Enniskillen, 42mg/100ml breath, €200 and disqualified for one year. Didn't pay for petrol A bench warrant was issued at Ballyconnell District Court for a Louth man who obtained petrol from two local filling stations on three occasions and left without paying for it. John Ward, No. 2 William's Lane, Tullyallen, Drogheda, was charged that on August 20 at Rakeelan Filling Station, Ballyconnell, he obtained petrol to the value of €67 from Ann Doonan and left without paying. He was also charged with a similar offence on August 19 to the value of €99.20. The defendant was further charged that on August 20 at SuperValu, Realta Centre, Cullyleenan, Ballyconnell, he obtained petrol to the value of €109 from Austin Cassidy and left without paying. Warrant A warrant was issued for Ciaran Doogan, 22 Furnaceland, Swanlinbar, when he failed to appear on a charge of having no insurance on his vehicle at Uragh, Swanlinbar, on October 17, 2008. He was also charged with having no driving licence on the same occasion. No insurance The following were fined at Ballyconnell District Court for having no insurance on their vehicles: Andris Spakovskis, 42 Bothair Glas, Ballyconnell, €250 and disqualified for one year; Jevgenijs Gorjainovs, 23 Amberwood, Ballyconnell, €500 and disqualified for one year; and David Kelleher, 69B Belcamp Avenue, Coolock, Dublin 17, €500 and disqualified for two years.