This article is from page 9 of the 2006-02-21 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 9 JPG
Counsel for the State Stephen Coughlan outlined to the court that the accused appeared in court in Ennis in September 1983 on a sexual assault charge, where he got the benefit of the Probation Act.
He was also found guilty of breach of the peace, at Ennis District Court in September 1991, where he was ordered to keep the peace for two years and to stay away from members of a particular family.
This was the first time that this revelation was heard in court. Mr Coughlan said the records had not been available at previous hearings.
“It’s unfortunate these matters were not before you at the sentencing hearing,” he told the judge.
Defending barrister, Mark Nicholas, said he was not aware there were previous convictions and he said it was unsatisfactory that gardaí told the court there were no previous convictions.
“I’m somewhat embarrassed at the way this has come out at this stage,” said Mr Nicholas.