District court briefs

Set off fire extinguisher in Shercock church An 18-year-old youth, who trespassed on the Church of Ireland in Shercock in the early hours of the morning and let off the fire extinguisher, was ordered to make a contribution of €500 to the church after the case was heard at Virginia District Court. Jamie Garity, 25 Lisdrumskeagh, Shercock, pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage through his setting off of the fire extinguisher. However, his solicitor, Elish McCabe (Joanne Kangley solicitors), informed the court that it wasn't his intention to cause any damage on the occasion. Inspector Martin Beggy earlier outlined the facts of the case and stated that the discharging of the fire extinguisher incurred a cost of €85. Judge MacBride described the defendant's actions as a desecration of a place of religious worship. He directed the defendant to pay €500 to the Church of Ireland community in Shercock and to apologise in court to them for his actions. When the defendant apologised, the judge remanded him on continuing bail to the October court so that he could have time to arrange payment of the €500. Abusive to Gardaí Michael McDonagh (25) with addresses at Gortachurk, Ballinagh and 57, Ardkill Place, Ballinagh, was given a six months suspended prison sentence by Judge Sean MacBride at Virginia District Court for failing to comply with the direction of a Garda at Stradone Street, Ballyjamesduff, on December 5, 2009. Eddie McDonagh, 27 Rathdrum, Drumalee, Cavan, was fined €500 for engaging in abusive and insulting behaviour towards Gardaí on the same occasion. Inspector Martin Beggy, prosecuting, said that both defendants were abusive to Gardaí with Michael McDonagh making reference to the home of a Garda and that he would see him later. Both men were very intoxicated, said the inspector. A solicitor for the defence described Michael McDonagh as being in the "last chance saloon" because of his previous convictions. He had never done community service and would like the opportunity to do so, said the solicitor. Judge MacBride responded that he wouldn't make a community service order but would impose a suspended sentence on condition that McDonagh entered a Probation bond for a period of 12 months. He must also attend for behaviour therapy and an alcohol awareness course, said the judge. Driving offences Brian McManus (49), Denmore, Carrickaboy, Cavan, was fined €200 for careless driving at Kilnaleck, Butlersbridge on October 4 last year; Terence Keegan (24), Deredis, Butlersbridge was fined €200 for driving uninsured at Corduff, Ballinagh on March 12 this year; Donatas Marcinkus (23), Scotshouse, Clones, was fined €250 and disqualified from driving for three years for drink driving. Drink driving convictions Keith McCabe (25), Cormey, Kingscourt, was fined €300 and disqualified from driving for three years by Judge Sean MacBride, at Virginia District Court, for driving with excess alcohol (69mg/100ml breath) at Cornashesk, Virginia, on June 19, 2010. Rita Martin, solicitor, represented the defendant. At the same court Robert Flanagan (29), Staholmog, Carlanstown, Kells, was fined €300 and disqualified from driving for four years for driving with excess alcohol at Rantavan, Mullagh, on September 13, 2010. Nora Conlon, solicitor, represented the defendant.