Published: Thursday, 18th March, 2010 12:00pm

District court briefs

Here 'for the long haul'

A new garda inspector who was welcomed to Cavan at a sitting of the district court last week has expressed his commitment to staying here.

Judge Sean MacBride told the court that he knew Inspector Seamus Boyle as a sergeant in Mohill and Ballinamore, and he was subsequently stationed in Donegal, so "is extremely experienced".

"You have come to a very nice part of Ireland," the judge told Inspector Boyle, commending the solicitors and the public in Cavan "who are very supportive of the Gardaí".

"I don't live too far down the road, so this was a great transfer," said Inspector Boyle, stating that his intention is to be here "for the long haul".

He agreed with the judge that justice is delivered in a professional manner in Cavan.

On behalf of the Cavan Bar Association solicitor Michael Ryan assured the new inspector of their co-operation, as did Brian Maguire on behalf of the courts service.

Stole vodka

Vlentinas Klimisinas (30), 3 Newtownbutler Road, Clones, was ordered to make a donation of €300 to the Holy Family School and pay €50 compensation to Foy's Supervalu in Cootehill at a sitting of Cavan District Court.

The defendant pleaded guilty to stealing two bottles of vodka from the supermarket on January 31, last year.

The court heard how he and another man walked out of the shop with a bottle each under their clothing. They were stopped outside by security staff but "bolted".

They were "under the influence of drink when this happened", Judge MacBride was told. Describing the offence as "an amateurish effort" Judge MacBride said he'd apply the Probation Act on condition the payments were made.

Family 'drunken brawl'

At the same sitting of Cavan District Court, three co-defendants appeared for public order offences. The court heard that Louis Maguire, Johnny O'Leary and Theresa Maguire are related, the latter being Louis's sister and Johnny's partner.

Louis Maguire, 52 Drumnaveil, Cootehill was ordered to do 150 hours community service in lieu of four months imprisonment if deemed suitable by the Probation Service.

He pleaded guilty before Judge Sean MacBride to engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour or words at Church Street, Cootehill on September 6, last year.

The court heard that the defendant, who was abusive to gardaí on this occasion as they broke up a "drunken brawl", had previous convictions.

Recommending that he do the community service for Cootehill Tidy Towns, Judge MacBride remanded Mr. Maguire on continuing bail to May 6 to allow time for a probation report to be prepared.

Johnny O'Leary (29), 4 Drumbarkey, Cootehill was ordered to do 80 hours community service in lieu of two months in prison for a similar offence during the same incident.

According to solicitor Martin Cosgrove, Mr. O'Leary was on the ground being kicked, "but when he got up he tried to give a bit of what he got".

Theresa Maguire (25), also of 4 Drumbarkey, Cootehill, was bound to the peace for two years for the same public order offence. "Because they're all related, when they sobered up they were friends again," Mr. Cosgrove told the court.

Community Service

Stephen Hilliard, 14 Maudlin Street, Kells, Meath was ordered to completed 150 hours of community service in lieu of three months at Virginia District Court for a public offence.

He was charged with using or engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour at Kangley's Bar. Main Street, Bailieboro, on June 1, 2009.

Leonard McCabe, 2 Ard Aoibhinn, Farnham Road, Cavan town, was ordered to complete 100 hours of community service in lieu of three months for sing or engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour at Thomas Street carpark, Kingscourt Road, Bailieboro, on April 22, 2008.