Virginia court briefs

Came close to prison A motorist who had two previous conviction for driving with excess alcohol came perilously close to being sent away when he appeared at Virginia District Court for a third offence. Patrick Gunn, Loonogs, Crosskeys, was charged with driving with excess alcohol 44/100 breath at Loonogs, Crosskeys, on February 20. Judge Patrick Clyne sentenced the defendant to three months suspended on him entering a bond to keep the peace for two years, disqualified him from driving for eight years and fined him €1000. Inspector Alan Cunningham told the court that the defendant had two previous convictions for driving with excess alcohol and was driving while disqualified. Judge Clyne asked the defendant for a good reason for him not to send him (defendant) away. The defendant said he was sorry for what happened and it would not occur again. Judge Clyne pointed out that the defendant was breaking an order of the court. 'There is no justification for this type of behaviour,' he said. Broke two car windows Ciaran O"Connell, Cloghbally Upper, Mullagh, was placed on a 12-month Probation Bond when he appeared at Virginia District Court on a public order offence. He was charged with using or engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace at Cavan Road, Virginia, on February 25. Inspector Alan Cunningham told the court that gardaí received a call that a car hand been damaged on the Cavan Road out of Virginia. Two witnesses informed Garda McDermott they observed the defendant break two rear windows of a car. When they approached the defendant he became aggressive towards the gardaí when they arrested him. Ms. Rita Martin, solicitor defending, said her client had an alcohol issue and was out of work at the moment. 'It would help him if he got some structure to his life,' she added. Overtook on hatch marking A Meath motorist who overtook a number of vehicles on hatch marking along the N3 was convicted of dangerous driving at Virginia District Court. Gareth Cullen, 3a Johnswood Court, Ashbourne, was fined €950 and disqualified from driving for three months for the offence at Lisgrey, Virginia, on March 31, 2008. Recognisances were fixed in the event of an appeal. Garda Roseleen Logue said she was performing a speed checkpoint when she detected a vehicle travelling at 147kmh in a 100kmh zone. She followed the vehicle and it travelled at speed. It entered a hatch marking area and later it overtook three cars and two lorries in another hatched area. The vehicle continued on driving in a dangerous manner. Had top off in hotel car park A Dublin man who appeared before Virginia District Court on a public order offence did not expect to see Judge Patrick Clyne sitting on the bench. Fran Lynam, 15 Seabury Parade, Malahide, was fined €500 for using or engaging in threatening abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to provoke a breach of the peace at the Lakeside Manor Hotel, Burrenrea, Virginia, on March 29. Inspector Alan Cunningham said gardaí on duty entered the car park of the hotel when they observed the defendant with his top off. He was jumping up and down and swinging punches at security staff. The defendant was also shouting and roaring. He was arrested and put into the patrol car but he continued to scream and shout. When Judge Clyne asked if the defendant had any previous convictions Inspector Cunningham said he had one from a sitting of Swords District Court. When he details were read out Judge Clyne said: 'I imposed that sentence.' He called the defendant to appear in front of him and told him: 'You didn"t expect to see me down here, did you? You thought you could as like Tarzan but you"re not.' Judge Clyne said the defendant had got his opportunity. Driving with excess alcohol The following were fined at Virginia District Court for driving with excess alcohol: Christopher Cullen (38), Drumina, Virginia, 83/1900 breath, €250 and disqualified for three years; Nicola Reynolds, 17 Maple Court, Bailieboro, 54/100 breath, €250 and disqualified for two years and one day from September 30; Michael Smith, 3 Rosehill, Mullagh, 47/100 breath, €250 and disqualified for two years and one day; Christopher Higgins, 12 Cusack Estate, Ballyjamesduff, 54/100 breath, €600 and disqualified for two years and one day; and Sean Farrelly, Galbolie, Bailieboro, 39/100 breath, €600 and disqualified for one year from July 1. Driver was intoxicated Amaro Filho (33), Flat 1, Centra, Ballyjamesduff, was fined €250 and disqualified from driving for four years at Virginia District Court for driving under the influence of cannabis at Kilmore, Ballyjamesduff, on November 14. Warrants to issue A bench warrant was issued at Virginia District Court for James Clements, 7 Oak Park, Mullagh, when he failed to appear on a charge of stealing 48 cans of beer from White Star, Main Street, Mullagh, on February 10. A warrant was issued for Derek Fay, 32 Carrow Road, Drimnagh, Dublin 12, when he failed to appear on a charge of possessing herbal cannabis at Edenburt, Virginia, on July 28. He was also charged with having no insurance, no driving licence, speeding and failing to give his name on the same occasion.