Latest news with #MonaghanDistrictCourt
Sunday World
28-07-2025
- Sunday World
Young man ‘kicked out' at hospital staff and called gardaí ‘cancerous pigs'
Brooklyn McDonald (22) was brought before a sitting of Monaghan District Court after a warrant was issued for his arrest Judge Raymond Finnegan had strong words for Brooklyn McDonald following two incidents that occurred involving medical personnel in Cavan and Monaghan within weeks of each other. A judge has warned a man who branded gardaí 'cancerous pigs and cancer b******s' in a bare-chested drink fuelled outburst that he faces a spell behind bars unless he turns his life around. Judge Raymond Finnegan issued a public dressing down to Brooklyn McDonald (22) Mullaghmatt, Monaghan, Co Monaghan, following a string of public order related offences in Cavan and Monaghan between April and June this year. That came after McDonald was brought before a sitting of Monaghan District Court after a warrant was issued for his arrest when the Monaghan man failed to show for a scheduled court appearance on July 14. McDonald, the court heard, had been initially arrested following a disturbance within the grounds of Cavan General Hospital on April 21. Sgt Lisa McEntee, for the State, said gardaí had arrived on the scene amid claims McDonald had become unruly when 'kicking out' at hospital staff. Those reports were, according to Sgt McEntee confirmed, moments later as officers came across the accused in a 'highly intoxicated' state outside the hospital. 'He was kicking out at hospital staff when gardaí got the call,' she said, while noting the accused was either attempting or had just secured admission to the Lisdarn based facility. Brooklyn McDonald on the steps of Monaghan Courthouse. Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 28th That episode culminated in charges under section 4 and 6 of the Public Order Act being handed down. However, it was events that unfolded just over two months later at Park Road, Mullaghmonaghan, Monaghan which more notably drew the ire of Judge Finnegan. Sgt McEntee said McDonald came to the attention of gardaí for a second time shortly after 4:30am on June 22. Like the earlier incident, the court heard how there was a medical undertone involved, only this time when McDonald refused to engage with ambulance personnel. Sgt McEntee said McDonald was observed exiting the back of an ambulance before making his way to the Park Road area whilst topless. The court heard how McDonald was once again found to be under the influence, behaviour which was accompanied by the accused being spotted 'roaring and shouting' in the middle of the road. Judge Raymond Finnegan had strong words for Brooklyn McDonald following two incidents that occurred involving medical personnel in Cavan and Monaghan within weeks of each other. Having been given an order to leave the area by Garda Claire Blake, Sgt McEntee said the accused declined that request and instead continued to yell at the top of his voice while calling gardai 'cancerous pigs and cancer b******s'. McDonald, the court was informed, had some previous minor convictions to his name, but not a 'whole pile' as an adult. Roísín Courtney, defending, said such was her client's level of intoxication, his recollection of events on both occasions was more than hazy. 'He doesn't even recall it and he has never been in custody before,' she said, before asking the court to consider directing a probation report. Judge Finnegan, for his part, said embarking on such a move would offer little in view of McDonald's past experiences with probation services. '(They) tried to help him and he wouldn't attend his appointments,' he said. 'There is a report here from July 7 and an appointment was sent to him. He failed to attend and failed to make contact so what's the point?' Ms Courtney replied for a second time to implore the court to hold off from giving McDonald his first taste of inside a prison cell. Judge Finnegan, however, remained defiant as he replied: 'Maybe he should enter it today and see what he is facing?' Brooklyn McDonald on the steps of Monaghan Courthouse. In a final appeal, Ms Courtney said McDonald was someone who had not been afforded 'much of a chance', revealing how he had previously been in State care for three years during his mid teens and had also laboured under mental health challenges. Having heard that final submission on behalf of McDonald, Judge Finnegan issued a five month prison sentence for refusing to comply with the directions of gardaí during the Monaghan incident, suspending its term for a period of two years. A further two month sentence for the earlier threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour incident outside Cavan General Hospital was also imposed. In suspending it for a similar two year period, Judge Finnegan ordered it to run consecutively while 'taking into consideration' the three other public order related offences. In doing so, he warned McDonald of the likely outcome that awaited him should he fail to take advantage of the opportunity that was being afforded to him by the court. 'That is seven months hanging over him,' Judge Finnegan remarked. 'It's up to him as to whether he goes and gets the help now or whether he doesn't.'
Sunday World
24-07-2025
- Sunday World
Gardaí forced to retreat in tussle with man who took to garage with young child
Audrius Bliutas, of Monaghan Town, came before a sitting of Monaghan District Court Gardaí were forced to run for cover when a father of one violently resisted arrest and became involved in an intense struggle with officers during the course of a routine welfare check, a court has been told. Thirty-three-year-old Audrius Bliutas, of Belgium Park, Monaghan Town came before a sitting of Monaghan District Court following an incident on November 16 last year at Derrynagrew, Monaghan. Sgt Lisa McEntee told of how gardaí were initially called to the scene on foot of claims by Bliutas' partner the accused had taken to a garage with their child following an all day drinking binge. Audrius Bliutas forced gardaí to retreat for their own safety following a violent encounter on the outskirts of Monaghan town, a court has heard. When officers knocked on the garage door in a bid to cajole Bliutas outside, Sgt McEntee revealed how the accused suddenly became 'highly aggressive', first by pushing gardaí before becoming embroiled in a violent physical altercation moments later. During that scuffle, the court was told Bliutas proceeded to pick up and throw an unidentified object towards gardaí in an episode that resulted in glass being smashed inside the property. Sgt McEntee said such was the volatile nature of the incident, gardaí were forced to retreat for their own safety until further assistance arrived. In the midst of that stand-off, Judge Raymond Finnegan was told how Bliutas attempted to flee the scene on foot moments later in a move which ultimately coincided in his arrest following a foot chase with gardaí. Audrius Bliutas outside Monaghan Courthouse. News in 90 Seconds - July 24th The upshot of those actions saw gardaí charge Bliutas with two counts of assault, together with a subsequent shoplifting offence at Circle K, Monaghan on March 6 this year as well as two further public order incidents on January 19 at Roosky Monaghan and at the town's Market Street area on April 20. The former, Sgt McEntee revealed, took place at 3pm in the afternoon and which subsequently resulted in two further offensive weapons charges being handed down after Bliutas was searched and found to be carrying a penknife and a 'shiv' or 'sharply pointed blade'. When the court was told Bliutas had a previously unblemished record to his name, defence solicitor Roísín Courtney applied for a probation report to be carried out on her client. That suggestion was one which initially appeared to cut little ice with Judge Finnegan who addressed Ms Courtney directly by asking: 'What will a probation report tell me that you can't?' In entering guilty pleas on behalf of the accused, Ms Courtney said her rationale was largely based on her belief Bliutas was a man who could benefit from the court's assistance. Judge Raymond Finnegan remanded Audrius Bliutas on bail to a court sitting in November for the purposes of a probation and community service report. She said despite her client's strong work ethic, he was someone who was currently attending Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings in a bid to address a drink dependency. Having handed in €40 to cover the cost of the items Bliutas stole from Circle K, Judge Finnegan applied section 1 (1) of the Probation Act owing to the Monaghan man's previous good character. Bliutas was, however, ordered to undergo a probation and community service report for the remaining charges before the court and was remanded on bail to a sitting of Monaghan District Court on November 3.
Sunday World
03-07-2025
- Sunday World
Drink driver who crashed head-on into motorist ‘was fleeing toxic relationship'
Pamela Tierney (26) pleaded guilty to drink and dangerous driving A housekeeper was more than two and a half times over the limit when crashing head on into another motorist that left him trapped in his own vehicle and lodged in a wall, a court has heard. Pamela Tierney (26) of Riverside, Corroneray, Kingscourt, Cavan pleaded guilty to drink and dangerous driving at a sitting of Monaghan District Court following a two vehicle crash at Crumlin, Magheracloone , Carrickmacross, Monaghan on June 19, 2024. Tierney's Skoda Octavia, the court heard, crossed a continuous white line along a stretch of the R162 and collided head on with a male motorist who had travelling in the opposite direction towards Kingscourt in Co Cavan. Pamela Tierney was more than two and a half times over the legal limit to drive when she crashed head on into 4x4 pick up truck that left its driver trapped inside his vehicle after it became lodged in a wall. Sgt Lisa McEntee said when gardaí and emergency services attended the scene shortly before 9pm, they found that while Tierney had escaped largely unscathed, the driver of the other vehicle was trapped inside a 212 registered Toyota Hilux. The court was told the severity of the crash caused the 4x4 pick up truck to become 'lodged in a boundary wall'. Emergency services managed to free the man from the wreckage ahead of his later transferral to hospital as a precautionary measure alongside Tierney. Sgt McEntee said both drivers were breathalysed in an exercise the accused failed, something which was confirmed in a subsequent urine sample. Judge Gerry Jones banned Pamela Tierney from driving for two years. That reading, Judge Gerry Jones was told, returned a result of 175ml of alcohol per 100ml of urine. Under current road traffic laws, the legal limit for fully licenced drivers stands at 67 milligrammes of alcohol per 100ml of urine, putting Tierney at more than two and a half times in excess of that figure. Sgt McEntee said it was the State's case the incident came after Tierney crossed a continuous white line which effectively resulted in the head on collision. In defence, solicitor Niall Fox said the only reason she had been on the road that day was as a consequence of the dire personal circumstances she found herself entangled in at the time. Pamela Tierney outside Monaghan Courthouse. 'Unfortunately, on this occasion she was in a very toxic relationship and was fleeing the scene,' he said. 'She felt she had no other option but to leave her house and unfortunately she had drink taken.' Mr Fox said Tierney was acceptive of the mandatory two year ban she was facing into, but qualified that by asking for additional weight to be placed on her early guilty plea and her previously unblemished record. Judge Jones consequently banned Tierney for two years while also fining her €500 in the process.
Sunday World
18-06-2025
- Sunday World
Man hit speeds of over 150kmh as he followed car involved in fatal Debs crash
Members of the McCann family, who had been listening on in court, reacted angrily when it was put to Judge Finnegan there had been no indication of any racing element being involved A father of four who drove at speeds of more than 150kmh as it followed a car that was involved in a crash that claimed the lives of two teenagers as they made their way to a Debs ball in Monaghan has been handed an 18 month suspended prison sentence. Alin Sorin Gatea (46) of Carn Heights, Clones, Co Monaghan, appeared at a sitting of Monaghan District Court to face five counts of dangerous driving at various locations between Clones and Monaghan on July 31, 2023. Best friends Kiea McCann (17) and Dlava Mohamed (16) were killed when a car driven by Anthony McGinn of Drumloo in Co Monaghan left the road and crashed into a tree. Alin Sorin Gatea was handed down three terms of six months in prison, sentences which Judge Raymond Finnegan ordered to run consecutively for a period of two years. The 62-year-old was jailed for seven years at a sitting of Monaghan Circuit Criminal Court last month having previously pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing the deaths of the two teenage girls. McGinn was also banned from driving for 15 years having also pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm to Avin Mohamed, a sister of Dlava. Romanian national Gatea pleaded guilty to dangerous driving before Judge Raymond Finnegan during which dashcam footage taken from the factory worker's car was played in open court. Alin Sorin Gatea outside Monaghan Courthouse. Inspector Ann Marie Lardener said Gatea had been behind the wheel of an 11-registered BMW and en route to the Westenra Arms Hotel in Monaghan town with his 19-year-old son and his debs partner when the incident took place. She said conditions on the evening were wet as footage from Gatea's car was played. That showed the factory worker following behind a jeep and trailer just outside Clones town before the car in question could be seen overtaking it just past a Circle K filling station on the outskirts of the town. Inspector Lardener said as a result of forensic led investigations that followed, Gatea's car was found to have been travelling at a minimum speed of 145kmh and a maximum speed of 151kmh between the service station and the New Line junction. Anthony McGinn was sentenced to seven years in jail for causing the deaths of Kiea McCann (left) and Dlava Mohamed. The court was told Gatea was travelling at close to or double the 60kmh and 80kmh speed limit zones on the road. In defence, solicitor Catherine Taaffe was at pains to point out there had been 'no joint enterprise' or suggestion her client had been acting in concert with the other car. Members of the McCann family, who had been listening on in court, reacted angrily when it was put to Judge Finnegan there had been no indication of any racing element being involved, an admission that caused the late Kiea McCann's father Frankie to shout: 'He didn't help, f****** w*****' before being escorted out of court by a garda. Anthony McGinn's reckless driving caused the deaths of Kiea McCann and Dlava Mohamed Ms Taaffe said her client had been a permanent fixture in Ireland for the past decade who had endured significant personal turmoil in the aftermath of the incident. She said that had manifested itself through posts which had been published on social media to such an extent there was now a 'live threat' on his life. Insp Lardener replied, insisting gardaí were not aware of any such threat being present, something Ms Taaffe attempted to clarify by revealing how Gatea had made an official complaint before later withdrawing it out of fear of causing any more upset. 'His car was destroyed and his son's car was also destroyed,' she told the court. 'He suffers from PTSD and his wife has threatened to leave him and take the children back to Romania.' A copy of a social media publication in connection to the incident and Gatea's involvement was handed into Judge Finnegan which, the Justice, described as 'fairly sinister'. Ms Taaffe also said Gatea had, in fact, volunteered to hand in the dashcam footage from his car and had cooperated fully with the garda investigation that followed. Alin Sorin Gatea was also banned from driving for four years. In handing down his sentence, Judge Finnegan said there was no denying Gatea, who had one previous conviction to his name, had 'clearly put' the lives of both himself and his two passengers in danger as he handed down three separate six month suspended sentences for dangerous driving episodes at Clonkirk, Altertate Glebe and Legnakelly in Clones. Judge Finnegan ordered the three terms of six months to run consecutively, suspending their duration for two years. He was also disqualified from driving for four years with the two other dangerous driving charges being taken into consideration. Alin Sorin Gatea outside Monaghan Courthouse. News in 90 Seconds - June 17th
The Irish Sun
17-06-2025
- The Irish Sun
My sister died holding hands with best pal in Debs crash – no jail for man driving 150kph before horror adds to our pain
DEBS crash victim Dlava Mohamed's sister has blasted the suspended sentence handed down to a reckless Romanian driver who hit speeds of more than 150kph in the lead-up to the fatal smash. Best pals Dlava, 16, and Kiea McCann, 17, Advertisement 5 Dlava Mohamed's sister has blasted a suspended sentence for another horror driver Credit: Pacemaker Press 5 Dlava and her best pal Kiea McCann died in the crash in Monaghan in 2023 Credit: Pacemaker Press 5 Driver Anthony McGinn was recently sentenced to seven years in jail over the crash Credit: Pacemaker Press Killer driver Anthony McGinn, a friend of Kiea's family who had offered to drive the two teenagers to their school party, A Advertisement Debs chauffeur McGinn was jailed at Monaghan Circuit Court last month after Heartbreaking victim impact statements revealed how Kiea and Dlava died 'holding hands' after McGinn ignored pleas to slow down. He also admitted to dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm as Dlava's sister Avin, 19, suffered life-altering injuries. The Debs victims' families Now Advertisement Alin Sorin Gatea, 46, appeared at a sitting of Monaghan District Court on Monday on multiple counts of dangerous driving on the day of the Debs crash. Gatea, of Carn Heights, Clones, Co Monaghan, faced five counts of dangerous driving at various locations between Clones and Monaghan on July 31, 2023. One of the counts related to a charge at Legnakelly, just outside Clones, where Dlava and Kiea lost their lives in the crash en route to their Debs ball in the Westenra Arms Hotel in Monaghan town. Schoolgirl best friends died holding hands in horror crash Monaghan District Court heard father-of-four Gatea hit speeds of more than 150kph in his BMW as it followed McGinn's BMW. On Monday, Judge Raymond Finnegan gave Gatea an 18-month suspended prison sentence and disqualified the factory worker from driving for four years. Advertisement Reacting to the sentence, Dlava's sister Lilav tonight called for tougher sentences for speeding drivers in a bid to reduce fatalities on our roads. 'THERE HAS TO BE CONSEQUENCES' Lilav, 23, told the Irish Sun: 'It is only a suspended sentence. There has to be consequences. 'I'm so confused. Where is the punishment? There has to be a deterrent. 'Maybe more people should die for something to happen? 'The sentence should be stronger to send out a strong message. What about the young people, what does it say to them about speeding? Advertisement 'There definitely has to be stronger consequences.' FAMILY DEVASTATED Emotional Lilav told how the Mohamed clan came to Ireland from war-torn Syria to build their dreams. But with their lives shattered by the road traffic tragedy, Dlava's heartbroken family want lessons to be learned from their devastating loss. Opening up on their pain, anguished Lilav told the Irish Sun: 'It's hard to say how we're coping with it. Of course nothing is the same. 'There have been huge changes in our lives, definitely. So there should be huge changes for people speeding so dangerously and recklessly. Advertisement 'THERE IS ANGER' 'That man (Gatea) got a suspended sentence. What does that say to young people? If they see this kind of news, they're going to be like we're going to be fine if we cross the speed or anything. 'He (Gatea) was speeding like the other man (McGinn). Both of them are adults. 'There is anger, definitely. I want my message to be heard. There should be strong sentences, it could act as a deterrent, it could help save lives.' Monaghan District Court heard Gatea drove at speeds of more than 150kph in his BMW as it followed McGinn's BMW on a wet road. HIGH SPEEDS Dad Gatea had two passengers in his vehicle, his son, who was 19 at the time, and another teenager, who was 18 at the time. Advertisement He was driving both of them to the Debs ball at the Westenra Arms Hotel in Monaghan on the evening of July 31, 2023. The court heard the Romanian travelled at high speeds behind McGinn's BMW prior to the fatal collision. Inspector Ann-Marie Lardner revealed that following forensics of Gatea's dash cam footage, investigators confirmed the Romanian national was travelling at a minimum speed of 145kph and a maximum speed of 151kph at the time. 'I'm so confused. Where is the punishment? There has to be a deterrent." Lilav Mohamed Insp Lardner told Judge Finnegan that these speeds were almost double the speed limit. Defence solicitor, Catherine Taaffe, insisted that there had been 'no joint enterprise' or suggestion that her client had been acting in concert with the other car. Advertisement Ms Taaffe revealed the dash cam footage shown in court was voluntarily supplied by Gatea after he witnessed a serious event ahead of him. Ms Taaffe pointed out that Gatea's dash cam helped the state in bringing someone to justice for a much more serious crime. ANGRY REACTION And the defence solicitor highlighted how the charges before the court were for speeding, saying they had no bearing on the serious fatal collision that occurred that evening. The court was also told that Gatea had shown good levels of cooperation during the investigation. Members of Kiea's family, who attended the sentencing hearing, reacted angrily when it was put to Judge Finnegan there had been no indication of any racing element being involved. Advertisement 'KARMA WILL COME TO YOU' Asked by the judge if the McCann family believed the drivers were racing, Garda Inspector Lardner told the court 'yes they do'. The McCann family tonight joined the Mohamed clan in blasting the sentence given to Gatea. Kiea's dad Frankie stormed: 'Karma will come to you and Anthony.' Kiea's mum Teresa branded both Gatea and McGinn a total disgrace. Teresa rapped: 'Terrible the way the country is run. Advertisement 'TWO GIRLS' LIVES GONE' 'My child Kiea's life and friend Dlava's life taken. . . and this is the outcome of it. Two girls' lives gone. Handing down sentence, Judge Finnegan slammed the way Gatea drove, insisting he clearly put But the judge explained the DPP had directed him over the dangerous driving charges and that he can only act on the counts before him. Judge Finnegan issued three six month suspended sentences and disqualified Gatea from driving for four years. 5 Grieving relatives say they have suffered fresh trauma over the recent sentence Credit: Brian Lawless/PA Wire Advertisement 5 The McCann family tonight joined the Mohamed clan in blasting the sentence Credit: Pacemaker Press
