Published: Wednesday, 10th March, 2010 5:00pm

Cavan court briefs

Judge Sean MacBride.
Pic by==: 97

Ran amok with piece of timber

Charles McDonagh (18), 64 Lakeview, The Fairgreen, Cavan, was sentenced to six months in Castlerea Prison for criminal damage to two windows of a car belonging to Noleen Murphy, at last Thursday's sitting of Cavan District Court. Inspector Seamus Boyle told the court that gardaí were called to Lakeview in Cavan on December 26 last year to find that the defendant had "run amok with a piece of timber" and smashed Ms. Murphy's car windows.

Mr. McDonagh, who pleaded guilty, had 40 previous convictions and was already serving a nine-month sentence.

His solicitor told the court that the father of a four-month-old child "has been before this court far too often" but prison had been "a salutary lesson" for him and he has detoxed.

Judge MacBride said he would give the defendant credit for his guilty plea and imposed the sentence from the date of the court hearing.

False licence from Spain

At last week's sitting of Cavan District court, Judge Sean MacBride ordered that Ryan McKenna (28), 74 Station Lane, Cavan is to work 150 hours community service in lieu of six months in prison if he is found suitable by the Probation and Welfare Service. The defendant pleaded guilty to having possession of a false full Irish driving licence at AIB, Main Street, Cavan on December 8 last year.

The court heard that Mr. McKenna entered the bank with the forged licence and tried to cash a cheque for €600. His solicitor, Garrett Fortune, told the judge that the cheque was the defendant's and was in his name, but he produced the licence, which he had bought in Spain when he worked there for a couple of years.

Inspector Seamus Boyle told the court that Mr. McKenna had previous convictions but mostly for road traffic offences.

Judge MacBride remanded him on continuing bail to May 6 for a probation report to be prepared.

Sent forward for trial

John Masterson Jnr. (24), 40 St. Beraches Place, Kilbarrack, Dublin 5, appeared at Cavan District Court last Thursday in connection with a number of theft charges, which his solicitor indicated he will be contesting.

Regarding a charge of entering Sean Shields Bookmakers in Cootehill as a trespasser on March 1 or 2 last year and taking a safe containing €7,775 in cash, €436.59 in cheques, £160 sterling and €470 in coins, Judge Sean MacBride sent the defendant forward for trial to the next sittings of Cavan Circuit Criminal Court and fixed bail subject to conditions.

Solicitor Martin Cosgrove told the court that the defendant will be pleading not guilty.

For a charge of robbing Ursula Sheridan of €1,124 cash at Sean Shields Bookmakers in Bailieborough on June 13 last year, the defendant also indicated a plea of not guilty and was remanded on continuing bail to May 6 and Judge MacBride directed preparation and service of the book of evidence.

Mr. Cosgrove indicated that there will be a 'not guilty' plea also to a charge of robbing Emma McDermott and Patrick Gilsenan of €5,900 cash at Macs Betting in Virginia on April 5 last year. The defendant was remanded on continuing bail to April 15 for preparation and service of the book of evidence. Legal aid was granted.

Drink driving

At the same sitting of Cavan District Court Gary Kiernan (29), Lurganboy, Maudabawn, Cootehill was fined €150 and disqualified from driving for three years for drink driving at Annaghard, Cootehill on August 31 last year.

Return to: Homepage | News Index | This article