Virginia court briefs

Brothers on cannabis rap Two Louth brothers were fined €1,200 each when they appeared before Virginia District Court in connection with drug related offences in Bailieboro last year. James and Shane Garry both of 16 Cois Croinn, Saltown, Bellewsbridge Road, Dundalk, were each fined €700 for cultivating cannabis at Tattyreagh, Bailieboro, on May 27, 2009. They were also fined €500 each possessing cannabis on the same occasion. Inspector Ray McMahon said the operation was carried out by the Monaghan Drugs Unit. They discovered a lot of cannabis growing and being cultivated in a house at Tattyreagh. Both defendants were arrested. It was their role to dismantle the operation and deliver the goods to a person in the North. Both of them were very co-operative and a lot of drugs were seized. Martin Cosgrove, solicitor defending, said James sent out fliers that he was available for work. He was approached by a man on a Monday who asked him to dismantle the operation as well as paint and decorate the house. Instead of contacting the Gardaí he and his bother, Shane, went back to the house on Wednesday and carried out the work. While they were there, the Gardaí arrived. They were being paid €500 to do the job. Both of them were now back at college. Judge Sean MacBride said the defendants were at the lower end of the chain and they co-operated with the Gardaí. "I hope you have learned your lesson." Judge MacBride warned them that if they were caught at this again they would be going to prison. Used mobile while driving "It is lethal if you have a mobile phone to your ear while you are driving," stated Judge Sean MacBride at a sitting of Virginia District Court when Bailieboro motorist appeared before him on such a charge. Glen Whyte, 17 Beechcourt View, was fined €200 for using a mobile phone while driving at Cavan Road, Bailieboro, on October 17. Judge MacBride added that it was a very dangerous thing to do as an accident could happen. "I see now where a lot of motorists who get calls on the mobiles pull over and get out to talk on the phone." It was a right idea and the driver also got a bit of fresh air as well. Community Service David Brady (37), 17 Killians Court, Mullagh, was ordered to complete 100 hours of community service in lieu of three month at Virginia District Court for a public order offence. He was charged that on March 26 at Killians Court, Mullagh, he used or engaged in threatening behaviour. He was also fined €300 for being intoxicated in Killians Court on April 4. Inspector Ray McMahon said on March 26 an ambulance was attending a house in Killians Court dealing with an incident. The defendant was in the house and he became very abusive towards the Gardaí in the middle of the state. He was quite aggressive as well. On April 4 the defendant was going around knocking on doors and the Gardaí were called. He was very intoxicated. The defendant had six previous convictions going back to 1998. Drink driving convictions The following were fined at Virginia District Court for driving with excess alcohol: Grainne Thurston, Blackbull, Crosskeys, 47mg/100ml breath, €150 and disqualified for two years three months and Paul Byrne, Dundragon, Bailieboro, 52mg/100ml breath, €150 and disqualified for two years and three months. Warrant issued A bench warrant was issued at Virginia District Court for Stephen Coleman, 87 Balreask Village, Navan, when he failed to appear on a charge of driving with excess alcohol at Edenburt, Virginia, on May 1. Careless driving Thomas Deegan, Cloonagh, Castlerea, Roscommon, was ordered to donate €400 to Virginia Cancer Care when he pleaded guilty at the local District Court to a reduced charge of careless driving at Rosehill, Mullagh, on September 4. Inspector Ray McMahon said at 2.50am the defendant was going around a bend when he lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a wall. "He may have fallen asleep on the occasion," said the inspector in the case. No other vehicle was involved.