Court briefs

Compensation A Cavan man who paid a victim he assaulted €500 in compensation was given the benefit of the Probation Act when he appeared at a sitting of Cavan District Court. Patrick Donohoe (24), Drumhilla, Poles, pleaded guilty to assaulting James Smith at Gortnakillew, Poles, on August 31. Inspector John Dollard said the defendant got a taxi, which was driven by the injured party. The defendant knew the son of the driver and blamed him (son) for something that happened to him previously. The defendant attacked the driver and kicked him in the head. The injured party didn"t suffer any long-term injury. Donohoe had one previous conviction. Garret Fortune, solicitor defending, said his client had raised €500 by way of compensation for the injured party. The judge ruled as stated. Possessed cocaine A Donegal man who was caught in possession of cocaine was ordered to complete 80 hours of community service in lieu of two months when he pleaded guilty to the offence at Cavan District Court. John Conlon, 4 Knocknamona Park, Letterkenny, was convicted of the offence that occurred at Tullybuck, Clontibret, on July 8, 2008. Possessed heroin A Longford man who was caught in possession of heroin was placed on a peace bond for two years when he appeared at Cavan District Court. Noel Newman, Cloughernal, Granard, was convicted of the offence that occurred at Finea on December 15. Stole alcohol A Cavan teenager who pleaded guilty to stealing two crates of beer from a supermarket in Cavan town has been ordered to complete 120 hours of community service in lieu of four months detention. Charles McDonagh (18), 10 Townparks, Cavan town, was charged that on November 21 at Lidl Store, Creighan, Cavan town, he stole a crate of Guinness and a crate of Budweiser to the value of €71.98. He had 28 previous convictions. Public order A Monaghan man who appeared before Cavan District Court on a public order offence has been ordered to complete 80 hours of community service in lieu of four months. John Devine, 22 Highfield Close, Monaghan town, was charged with using or engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace at Roosky, Monaghan, on March 16. Probation Act Two men who paid a victim they assaulted substantial compensation were given the benefit of the Probation Act when they appeared at a sitting of Cavan District Court in connection with the offence. Robert Ashe, Lisnaglea, Stradone and Karl Fogarty, 6 Corduff Close, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, were charged with assaulting Tavic Johnston at Farnham Street, Cavan town, on April 26, 2008, Fogarty had a charge of being intoxicated at Tullacmongan Upper on April 24, 2008, taken into account. Evidence was heard at a previous court. Suspended Sentence Hardijs Langsteins (27), Apartment 4, 34 Main Street, Cavan town, was handed a three-month suspended sentence at the local District Court when he was convicted of driving with excess alcohol 232mg/100ml urine at Virginia on October 27. He was also given a three-year disqualification from October 31. Excess alcohol The following were fined at Cavan District Court for driving with excess alcohol: Caroline Collins (34), 2 Fort Village, Gortnakesh, 49mg/100ml breath, €250 and disqualified from driving for two years from November 30 and Thomas Dunne, 43 Latthills, Latt, 36mg/100ml breath, €300 and disqualified for one year. Warrant A bench warrant was issued at Cavan District Court for Sabrina McDonagh, 4 the Mews, Market Square, Longford, when she failed to appear on a charge that on July 29, 2008, at Dunne Stores, Main Street, Cavan, she stole drapery to the value of €857.43. Dangerous driving Mark Gannon, Drimmeen, Mohill, Leitrim, was ordered to completed 220 hours of community service in lieu of five months when he pleaded guilty at Cavan District Court to dangerous driving at College Street, Cavan, on November 21.