DISTRICT COURT ROUND-UP
From our reporter at Sligo Courthouse
Man fined for public disorder while intoxicated
A 25-year-old man found intoxicated in public has been fined.
John Sweeney of Maryville Hostel, Finisklin, pleaded guilty at Sligo District Court to a charge of public disorder.
Sweeney appeared in handcuffs and was accompanied by two prison guards as he is currently serving a sentence which ends later this year.
Sgt Derek Butler told the Court that on September 14, 2023, Garda officers spotted two males – one of them the defendant – intoxicated in Collooney. Both were arrested for their own safety.
A fixed penalty notice was issued but was not paid by Sweeney.
It was disclosed to the Court that he has 61 previous convictions.
Defence solicitor, Tom MacSharry, told the Court that his client has “a chronic alcohol addiction” and that Sweeney’s family had endured “a significant tragedy” around the date of the offence.
He added that since being sent to prison last December, Sweeney has been “clean and sober”.
Judge Sandra Murphy fined Sweeney €200. Sweeney is due to appear on a separate assault charge later this year.
New date set for defendant’s assault hearing
A 24-year-old man who is awaiting deportation to Scotland appeared at Sligo District Court on a separate charge of assault.
Richard Sharples of Doonbeakin, Templeboy, appeared via videolink from Castlerea Prison.
As reported last week, Sharples was refused bail at Ballyshannon Court with his legal team at the
High Court in Dublin currently undergoing the process of appealing an extradition order to Scotland in relation to an assault that took place in Glasgow.
In the hearing at Sligo, the Court heard from the State that an investigation into an assault that took place at Templeboy earlier this month is still ongoing.
Judge Sandra Murphy adjourned the hearing to be heard via videolink on July 25.
Woman who stole from two shops sentenced today
A 64-year-old woman who stole from two Sligo town shops on separate occasions will be sentenced today (Thursday, July 18).
Maria Syvokin of Yeats Country Hotel, Rosses Point, appeared at Sligo District Court to plead guilty to two counts of theft.
Sgt Derek Butler told the Court that on December 8, 2023, the defendant stole clothing items to the value of €58 from Dunnes Stores on Wine Street, Sligo town.
On April 25 of this year, Syvokin stole Fairy washing tablets, two bottles of Domestos and a bottle of water – a total value of €21.50 – from
Dealz at the Quay Shopping Centre.
The goods from Dealz were recovered but the items taken from Dunnes were not.
Defence solicitor, Tom MacSharry, told the Court that before those incidents, his client had no previous convictions.
He added that she is from Ukraine and is expecting to return there.
Mr MacSharry continued to say that Sylvokin’s daughter had told him that her mother went through a period of being lonely and upset and was very ashamed of what she had done.
He concluded by stating that his client wished to apologise to the two stores and to the Garda.
Judge Sandra Murphy told Sylvokin to get a postal order of €58 to repay Dunnes Stores.
The case was adjourned to July 18 for sentencing.
Solicitor says client learned “a valuable lesson”
A 20-year-old man has pleaded guilty to driving without insurance.
Jake Leroy of The River Rest, Main Street, Easkey, appeared at Sligo District Court.
The Court heard that on January 28 of this year, Garda officers stopped Easkey’s vehicle at Tullylinn, Culleens, and following a check, found he was driving without insurance.
Defence solicitor, Mark Mullaney, asked the Court that his client not be disqualified as he will lose his learner licence.
He added that Leroy relied on driving from Easkey to Sligo town to attend college and that a disqualification would hamper that. He finished by saying that his client has “learned a very valuable lesson”.
Judge Sandra Murphy fined Leroy €250 and told the defendant that she would not be disqualifying him from driving but also stated that she hoped that this would be a “one-off” offence from him.
Probation Act for man who “turned his life around”
A 34-year-old man has been put on probation.
Ciaran Fitzgerald of Narnia, Ummergroe, Drumnacool, appeared at Sligo District Court for sentencing.
Fitzgerald had, back in April, pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled drug – cannabis – for the purpose of selling or supplying it to another person. The offence took place on December 29, 2019.
Back in April, Judge Éiteáin Cunningham instructed Fitzgerald to pay €1,000 by July 11 as a donation to Sligo Cancer Centre in lieu of a conviction.
Defence solicitor, Tom MacSharry, confirmed that Fitzgerald had donated the amount instructed and told the Court that his client “has done really well since the offence and has turned his life around”.
Judge Sandra Murphy applied the Probation Act to Fitzgerald.
Penalty paid for not having a tax disc
A 37-year-old man has pleaded guilty to driving without road tax.
Claudiu Caldarasi of Upper John Street, Knappagh Beg, appeared at Sligo District Court.
Sgt Derek Butler told the Court that on June 7, 2023 at 1.27am, a Skoda Octavia driven by Caldarasi was stopped by Garda on the R291 at Ballytivnan and was found not having a tax disc displayed.
A fixed penalty notice was issued but was not paid.
Judge Sandra Murphy fined Caldarasi €150.
Theft case is adjourned until November
A 46-year-old man will have to wait until November to find out his theft charge fate.
David McLaughlin of St John’s Terrace, Sligo town, appeared at Sligo District Court where he entered guilty pleas to two counts of theft.
The Court heard that on July 24, 2023, McLaughlin stole a Ring camera from Harvey Norman store at Carraroe Park worth €199. He later stole a bottle of Smirnoff vodka from another retail outlet valued at €33.