District court briefs

Driving while on mobile phone Paul Scannell, Harry's Lane, Beahy, Stradone, was directed by Judge Sean MacBride at Cootehill District Court, sitting in Cavan, to pay €200 to the Tullacmongan Resource Centre in respect of a summons for use of a mobile phone while driving at Ballinagh on July 21, 2009. When the defendant undertook to make the donation, the judge marked the case proven and dismissed under the Probation Act. Highly inappropriate behaviour Piotr Rosa, 8, Creighan Drive, Cavan, was advised by Judge Sean MacBride at Cootehill District Court, sitting in Cavan, to get counselling for what was highly inappropriate behaviour. Mr. Rosa was charged that on February 5, 2009, at Bridge Street carpark, Cavan, he was intoxicated to such an extent as to be a danger to himself and to members of the public. Inspector Alan Cunningham informed the court that Garda Brennan while on town patrol was approached by a male person who complained that a man was walking around making rude gestures towards females. The garda apprehended the individual concerned and directed him to leave the area. However, the member subsequently encountered the defendant engaged in the same behaviour and arrested him. The defendant didn't have any previous convictions the court was informed. Breege Mimnagh, solicitor defending, said that her client was anxious to get the matter disposed of. He was aged 50 and had lived in Ireland for six years. He had a wife and three children and was employed. Remarking that it was not an ordinary run of the mill case, Judge MacBride said that he might be taking an appalling risk if he didn't deal with the case correctly. "What guarantee have I that he isn't going to repeat this behaviour", he asked? Ms Mimnagh responded that her client was very drunk on the occasion. He was very embarrassed and annoyed by his behaviour on the date concerned. Judge: I think he needs to go for counselling; this is highly inappropriate behaviour. Judge MacBride directed the defendant to pay €750 to the Tearmann domestic violence centre and adjourned the case to Cootehill Court sitting in Cavan on February 4. "I want to be re-assured that there isn't a repeat of this behaviour - this man must realise how serious it is. If that is what alcohol does to him he should get off the drink," stated the Judge. Fined in tax return cases Francis McGorry, Killatee, Maudabawn, Cootehill, was fined €3000 mitigated to €1500 at the local district court for failing to make tax returns for the year 2007. Yuk Yip, Corner House, Market Street, Cootehill, was fined €3000 mitigated to €1500 for a similar offence. Eamon Woods, Aughesland, Cootehill, was fined €300 mitigated to €750 for a similar offence. Jailed for double assault Danny Fryers, Lisegerton, Clones was sentenced to five months in Wheatfield Prison when convicted of assaulting Gerry Smith at Fermanagh Street, Clones on May 11, 2008. He was given a concurrent five-month sentence when convicted of assaulting Garda William Gilliard at Crossmoyle on May 11, 2008. Recognisances were fixed in the event of an appeal in the sum of €1,000. Jailed for knife intimidation Francis Maughan, 28 O'Neill Park, Clones was sentenced to six months in Wheatfield prison when he appeared before Clones District Court on a charge of having a large kitchen knife in his possession at O'Neill Park on October 8, 2009, with the intention of unlawfully intimidating another person when being asked to pay a taxi fare, which he failed to pay. Recognisances were fixed in the event of an appeal.