This article is from page 10 of the 2006-09-26 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 10 JPG
IF someone behaves like a ‘lout,’ he should accept that a criminal conviction goes with the territory, according to a judge.
Judge Angela Ní Chondúin made the comment in a public order case, before striking out the charge.
Aidan McCarthy (19), of Clarehill, Clarecastle, pleaded guilty to being intoxicated in public, on Abbey Street, on September 1.
Garda Crowley told Ennis District Court that gardaí received a report that a man was walking up O’Connell Street hitting windows and the accused was subsequently arrested.
Defending solicitor Tara Godfrey said the accused, a barman, had no previous convictions and the incident was out of character. She said her client could pay money to the court’s poor box and asked that he be given “one golden opportunity”.
Judge Angela Ní Chondúin said, “I am not mad about the idea of the poor box. I think a criminal record will straighten him up, rather than taking a few hundred euro off him. If you want to behave like a lout and get drunk in public, the criminal conviction comes with the territory. He should know a lot more about drink than others, because he is a barman.”
She then adjourned the case to allow the accused to come up with €300 for the court poor box. The money was later paid in.
“I take it we won’t see him back here again. I am striking it out,” said the judge.