Courts

ATHLONE ADVERTISER, MARCH 05, 2010. By Finian Coghlan http://www.advertiser.ie/athlone/article/23166 A man who pleaded not guilty after an arrest for his part in mob chanting outside a late night chipper, was convicted and fined €200 in the District Court this week (March 3) after he conceded he’d read his charge sheet incorrectly. The court heard from Garda Brian Keane...
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A 61-year-old Athlone man, who is living rough since his house burnt down, has been convicted of threatening behaviour. Patrick Dunne was acting aggressively at Mullingar Equestrian Centre on May 31 when Garda Michael Daniels arrived. He began calling the garda names, Inspector Keyes explained. Mr Robert Marren said his client had been living with his...
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A judge suggested to a man who owes the State €50,000 that he default on his bank repayments and when it seeks legal redress he tell them that “the taxpayers are paying €3bn to bail them out”. “Tell him to go and tell the Bank of Ireland to take a flying jump,” said Judge John...
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AN OUTSPOKEN judge was accidentally shot in the face by a solicitor who was trying to demonstrate that an air pistol was harmless. Judge John Neilan was hearing a family law case in Longford District Court when he was shot, it emerged yesterday. The judge, who is never lost for words, didn’t want to comment on...
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A judge lambasted the local council this week (September 4) for pursuing an eviction against a mother of four over arrears in the present economic climate when “€90 billion of taxpayers money is being used to bail out those who fly in helicopters and bathe in sunlight”. Judge John Neilan was hearing...
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A man who assaulted a stranger who allowed him to share his taxi home, had an 11 month jail sentence adjourned until November in the District Court this week (June 24). The court heard how Alan Browning (31) of Cushla Lawns, Athlone had got out of the taxi at his house at around 3.40am on...
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A woman who drunkenly abused gardai during a Paddy’s Day session because she was annoyed that the landlord served her 16-year-old daughter had her charges dismissed in court this week (May 13) after receiving a dressing down from the judge. The court heard how Bridie Quigley (45) from Cartron Drive, Athlone was arrested on Church...
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Athlone Advertiser, March 13, 2009. By Finian Coghlan A student facing drunken, public order charges for the second time in a month, left court again without a conviction after the judge reluctantly agreed to adjourn a final decision on sentencing until next October to see if the defendant’s behaviour improves. John Gilna (18), from Esker, Ballinalee, Co...
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Bizarre regulation ‘a waste of money’ By Eimear Ni Bhraonain Tuesday February 24 2009 PRISONERS already serving jail terms are being sent on ‘detours’ of up to 160km on trips to and from courts due to a bizarre regulation. Following court appearances on fresh matters, criminals in the midlands must be brought to Portlaoise Prison to have...
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Athlone Advertiser, February 20, 2009. Though he resisted the temptation when he heard there was a street in Athlone called Preaching Lane, Judge John Neilan didn’t hesitate to issue the maximum fine for illegal parking to a woman who failed to answer her summons this week (February 18). The District Court in Athlone heard from a...
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