‘Pothole terror’ banned from painting on the roads

The man known as “the pothole terror”, Martin Hannigan, was banned from painting on the roads for the next two years when he appeared at Cavan District Court recently. Hannigan pleaded guilty to two charges of criminal damage to the road at Market St, Cootehill, on June 9, June 16 and June 20 of last year.
Sergeant Gallagher from Bailieborough Garda Station told the court a number of slogans were painted on the road on those dates. Hannigan, who represented himself in court, said he tried to raise the issue of letters he had received but Judge MacBride said he was not going to allow him to use his court as a platform to attack persons who were not there to defend themselves.
Senior Engineer with Cavan County Council, Pat Gaynor, told the court that he was made aware of the writing on the road by the overseer in that area. It was large yellow writing, which had caused distress to himself and his staff. He said the council had to employ a specialist firm, Kelly Road Markings, to come and clean them up but this process involves burning off the layer of paint and it effects the road surface and you can only do this twice. In the end, the company put more black road markings over the paint. While the writing is still there, it is not visible now.
Judge MacBride asked Hannigan if he had anything to ask Mr Gaynor but when Hannigan asked a defamatory question, the judge again reminded him that he was not going to allow him to defame anyone in his court.
Hannigan then said he had nothing more to ask Mr Gaynor and added; “it was myself that did it.”
Judge MacBride advised the pothole campaigner: “You have legal remedies if you feel you have a case, you can go to a lawyer but you are not entitled to make accusations in my court.”
He then asked Hannigan if he was prepared to give a sworn undertaking to keep the peace and be of good behaviour for two years and enter into a bond to do so. Hannigan said he would. The judge said that, as part of that bond, he is not to be painting on roads in County Cavan. The judge asked Hannigan if he was working. The defendant said he was not and his income was €450, he is married with six children, four of whom have disabilities.
Judge MacBride then ordered Hannigan to pay Cavan County Council €1,458.93 to cover the costs of covering the writing on the road and he fined him a further €200 on the criminal damage charge. The Judge warned Hannigan that all monies due must be paid within six months and said he could pay them by saving €277 per month. However, he warned him that if he defaults on payment or breaches the good behaviour bond, he will face three months in prison.