Cavan court briefs

Sentenced to seven days A Monaghan man who pleaded guilty to failing to appear on bail at Drogheda District Court on July 28 last was sentenced to seven days by Judge William Hamill at Cavan District Court last Friday. Martin Reilly, 10 Saint Patrick's Terrace, Monaghan, had his sentence back dated to August 8. Two public order offences at the Diamond, Monaghan, on August 8 and at West Street, Drogheda, on July 3, were taken in account. Inspector John Dollard told the court that the defendant had 44 previous convictions. Denis McDwyer, solicitor defending, said his client was off the drink for seven years and he never offended during that period and he held down a job. Any time he took drink this sort of behaviour occurred. Defendant learned his lesson A Cavan man who spent a week in prison on remand for breaching bail conditions informed Judge William Hamill at a sitting of Cavan District Court that he had learned his lesson. Paul Morris, 46 Cluain Aoibhinn, Swellan, was charged that on July 19 at Mill Rock, Cavan town, he assaulting Peter Scanlon causing him harm. He was also charged with assaulting David Weritz at 71 College Street, Cavan, on June 20. The defendant was further charged with assaulting Brian Dent at Market Square, Cavan, on July 10. Morris had been remanded in custody from Trim District Court the previous week for flouting his conditions. He failed to obey a curfew and not to associate with certain individuals. The defendant was on remand in Castlerea prison and he didn't want to go back. "I understand what bail conditions are now," he said. Inspector John Dollard said he hoped the week inside would have the desired affect on the defendant and that he would not oppose the same bail conditions being imposed again. Judge Hamill restored the original bail and conditions. He warned the defendant that if he breached bail again he would come back before the court and he would be remanded in custody. The defendant was remanded to appear at Cavan District Court on September 17. One of the juveniles who was also charged with the assault on Peter Scanlon was also remanded on bail to the same court. Feuding neighbours A Longford man who claimed that neighbours were claiming squatters rights over a right away appeared before Judge William Hamill at a sitting of Cavan District Court charged with assault and causing damage to a boundary fence. Larry Cunningham, Renaghan, Abbeylara, was charged with assaulting Michael McBrien at Cloncovid, Kilcogy, Mullahoran, on August 8. He was also charged with using or engaging in threatening abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace. The defendant was further charged that on August 9 at Cloncovid he damaged a sycamore hedge, on July 3 he damaged a laurel hedge park, on June 4 he damaged a laurel hedge and on July 1 he damaged trees at Cloncovid, Kilcogy, all the property of Mr. McBrien. Mr. Cunningham was also charged with damaging a lock and chain attached to a gate the property of Mr. McBrien on June 3. Mr. Cunningham claimed that the McBriens were trying to claim squatters right over his right of way/boundary and had put a lock on his gate. Tom Madden, solicitor defending, said his client was not Larry Cunningham, the singer. His client was photographed by Mrs. Carmel McBrien one of the complainants while he as going about his business in Granard. "This is not acceptable," stated Mr. Madden. Judge Hamill said there was nothing he could do about that and that the matter should be taken up with Inspector Dollard. He warned the defendant not to make any contact with the McBriens and to stay away from the boundary/right of way.