Court briefs

Pierre Signe, 19 St. Patrick's Accommodation Centre, Monaghan, was fined €300 at Cavan District Court for crossing a continuous white line at Cloverhill, Butlersbridge, on April 4. The following were fined at Cavan District Court for having no insurance on their vehicles: David King, 2 Latt Close, Keadue Lane, Cavan, €200 and disqualified for two years; Deividas Rakauskas, 42 Meadowlands, Athboy, Meath, €300, Alexandra Ginevic, 12 Thomond Hall, Ballymahon, Longford, €200; and Romans Kasjanovs, Apartment 4, Hillview House, Ardkeen, Cavan, €400. Jason Gilbride, Newtown, Bundoran, County Donegal and Michael Carey, 32 Clontarf Road, Tullamore, County Offaly, were each directed to donate €250 to Cavan Hospice for using mobile phones while driving at Pollamore Far and Moynehall, Cavan, on February 8 respectively. Emma Curtis, Cloughrea, Drumconrath, Navan, was fined €5000 mitigated to €2500 for having an unregistered vehicle within the State on May 1, 2008. Gerard Fleming, Railway House, Lacken Lower, Ballinagh, was fined €3,000 mitigated to €1,000 for failing to make tax returns for 2008. He was also fined €1,000 for failing to make tax returns for 2009. Stole copper wire A Kingscourt man who was caught stealing copper wire from a local premises has been directed to complete a Community Service order when he pleaded guilty to the offence at Virginia District Court. Henry King, 32 Cabra View, Kingscourt, was charged that on July 23 at Dun A Ri Lane, Kingscourt, he stole copper wiring valued €100, the property of Michael Connell. He was directed to complete 100 hours in lieu of four months in prison. Superintendent Gerry O'Brien told the court that at 2.10am gardaí were on mobile patrol and as a result of information received they went to Dun A Ri Lane. There they discovered the defendant taking out a bag of copper wiring. The defendant had a number of previous convictions. Defending solicitor Martin Cosgrove said his client was unemployed and all of the goods had been recovered. Teen to pay €3000 A 17-year-old Cavan youth who pleaded guilty to assault another youth was directed to pay his victim €3000 when he appeared at Virginia District Court. He was charged with assaulting Stephen Finnegan at the Lakeside Manor Hotel, Burrenrea, Virginia, on May 4, 2009, Evidence was heard at a previous court. The victim said he lost teeth and his dental costs would amount to about €9500. Mr. Martin Cosgrove, solicitor defending, said his client had €1000 in court by way of compensation. Judge Sean MacBride said it was a serious assault but if he convicted the defendant he would have a criminal record for the rest of his life. It would bar him from applying for visas for the likes to the USA or Australia. The defendant acted in an aggressive manner while he was intoxicated. “I'm prepared to give him a chance.†The defendant was of good character and came from a good background. The incident was totally of out character for him. However, the victim required urgent dental treatment. If the money was paid to the victim by December 21 he would give him the benefit of the probation act. Threw away wallet Twenty-two-year-old James O'Connell, Lislea, Virginia, was directed to complete 150 hours of community service in lieu of three months when he pleaded guilty at Virginia District Court to a public order offence. He was charged that on March 23 at Main Street, Virginia, he used or engaged in threatening behaviour. Superintendent Gerry O'Brien said gardaí observed the defendant and he ran away. He was very drunk and as he was running away he threw away his wallet and car keys. They eventually located him and there was a scuffle. Judge Sean MacBride warned the defendant that if he came back before the court on a public order offence he would be going away.