Latest news with #FermoyDistrictCourt
Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Irish Examiner
Kerry man who towed trailer at 132 km/h avoids dangerous driving conviction
A plumber from Co Kerry who was recorded by a garda checkpoint towing a trailer at more than 50 km/h over the speed limit has avoided a conviction for dangerous driving in the district court. Court presenter Sergeant Majella O'Sullivan told Fermoy District Court that a garda speed check at Gortore, Kilworth, Co Cork recorded a Subaru Forester car towing a trailer travelling at 132 km/h where the speed limit was 80 km/h. The driver of the car was Diarmuid Lynch, 57 of Derryreag, Clonkeen, Co Kerry. Defence solicitor Matthew Bermingham said his client was a hardworking man who had no previous convictions of any kind and had been driving for 40 years without incident. He said that Mr Lynch accepted the facts and was taking the matter 'very seriously.' He added that the trailer was empty at the time and the incident occurred on a wide and straight stretch of road. He said that the incident was an 'aberration' on Mr Lynch's part. Mr Bermingham asked Judge Miriam Walsh to consider reducing the charge from dangerous driving, which carries a mandatory disqualification of two years on conviction, to the lesser charge of careless driving. Judge Walsh said that the speed was clearly excessive but given Mr Lynch's clean record she would agree to reduce the charge. Mr Lynch was convicted of careless driving, fined €500 and given four months to pay the fine. This article is funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme
Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Irish Examiner
Cork mother 'hooked on crack cocaine' told to stay away from bad influences in theft case
A Cork mother who came under the the negative influence of a number of individuals saw her life 'spiral out of control' as she became hooked on crack cocaine, the district court has heard. Grainne O'Connor, aged 48, of Art Abhainn, Carrignagroghera, Fermoy, Co Cork, appeared before a recent sitting of Fermoy District Court where she pleaded guilty to one count of theft. Court presenter Sergeant Majella O'Sullivan told the court that Ms O'Connor went into a Spar supermarket in Fermoy on December 9, 2024, where she took three rolls and Lucozade to the value of €17.20 and left the shop with the items but did not pay for them. The court was told that Ms O'Connor was identified by CCTV and the stolen items were not recovered. The court was told that the accused made full admissions and had a total of 21 previous conditions including six under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act, 2001. The court also heard that Ms O'Connor had brought €20 to compensate the injured party. Defence solicitor, Matthew Bermingham, said that his client was a mother of four children whose issues stemmed from serious addiction problems. He said that Ms O'Connor had stolen the rolls to feed her children as she had used up her own money to feed her addiction. He said that she had fallen in with a group of people from Cork City where she was attending addiction services who were a negative influence on her and she 'appears to be in their grip'. Mr Bermingham said: 'These three people in particular seem to be using her for lifts. They have not been helpful and have got her hooked on crack cocaine. She is in serious difficulty. Ms O'Connor said her life had 'spiralled out of control' but she was determined to cease contact with those who were leading her in a negative direction. Judge Miriam Walsh said that people like Ms O'Connor who took things from shops whenever they liked 'jack up the prices and it's not fair on the rest of us.' She warned Ms O'Connor to cease contact with those people who are 'using you' and added that she would give Ms O'Connor a chance to improve her life. The case was adjourned until September 12 for the completion of a Probation Service report. This article is fund by the Courts Reporting Scheme
