Galway Advertiser 2002/2002_11_14/GA_14112002_E1_024.pdf 

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M A N USED RECEIPT TO STEAL F R O M D I Y STORE
A 30-years-old man bought two cans of paint in Woodie's DIY and then used the receipt to steal two more cans, Galway District Court heard this week. Thomas Coen, 181 Corrib Park, Newcastle, was arrested following the shop lifting incident which occurred on August 12 last. He stole two cans of paint, total value 43.98. Detective Adrian O'Neill gave evidence that Coen bought two cans of paint and got a receipt. He then used the receipt to steal two more cans without paying for them. He added that Coen had cooperated fully and had paid compensation. Inspector Tony O'Donnell said Coen had previous convictions for driving without insurance and breaching a barring order. Defending solicitor, Sean O'Carroll, said his client had a drink problem which he was now addressing and he was trying to get his personal life back in order. He was off the drink for two or three months and was attending AA meetings. Judge John Garavan said Coen was "an able performer" before fining him 100. He warned him that if he was convicted again he would go to prison.

Hackney driver's driving reported by concerned mothers
Three mothers who were startled by the manner in which a hackney driver approached a city centre school one morning, reported the matter to the Gardai and as a result the driver appeared before Galway District Court. Kenneth Costello, from Ballinderry, was taking a customer and a child to the Corofin. Tuam, was charged with dangerous school and had stopped with no difficulty near the school. driving but this charge was reduced by He had felt he was driving within the Judge John Garavan on hearing the evidence, to driving without reasonable speed limit. Mr Canny said it was a matter of consideration for other road users. Inspector Tony O'Donnell said the judgment and people on the street might incident occurred outside the Claddagh have felt because he was driving a big car, that his client was going faster than he National School. actually was. Costello drove down the road on the Judge John Garavan said everybody had morning of March 4 last as people were to exercise extreme caution when crossing with children into the school. approaching a school. However, he said, the Three mothers, he said, were startled at the speed Costello drove through the area and accused was an honourable man who had met the case and he reduced the charge as they made a complaint about him to the stated and fined Costello 5 0 . Gardai. Mr Canny, solicitor, Tuam, said his client

Restaurant customers fled when man smashed teapot, court heard
Customers and staff in a city restaurant had to flee to the back of the premises when a drunken man came in and smashed a teapot on the floor, Galway District Court heard this week Peter Murtagh, Fairgreen Hostel, Galway, was arrested by detective Tom Flaherty following the incident which occurred on November 8 last at the Left Bank restaurant, in Dominick Street, Galway. Detective Flaherty said Murtagh was very agitated, uptight, and incoherent when he went into the premises, grabbed a teapot full of tea off a table and smashed it on the floor. He was unsteady on his feet when arrested a short time later for his own safety. Judge John Garavan said it was a terrible thing to do and a bad case before fining Murtagh 125 for being drunk in public.

Thirtv-four Travellers remanded Man who lost control Drunken carpenter on bail for Braveheart fight at Terryland wanted taxi windows roundabout jailed on open, court heard insurance charge
A drunken carpenter who got annoyed with a taxi driver when he wouldn't open all of the windows in his car on a very cold night, found himself before Galway District Court this week. Defending solicitor, Feithin Gorham (26), Adrian MacLynn said his Rusheenamagh, Carna, Galway, was very drunk client was deeply apologetic when he got into a taxi at for his behaviour on the Eyre Square on October 20 night which was all due to drink. Gorham, he said, last. It was a very cold night had been drinking all day but he insisted the taxi with his brother and wasn't feeling well when he got driver open all of the windows. When the driver into the taxi. That was why refused, Gorham got very he wanted the windows opened. irate. Imposing a fine for He pulled the hand brake and took identification cards breaching the peace. Judge off the dash and crumpled John Garavan said the accused had caused a lot of them. Garda Sean McCole was mayhem that night by being so truculent and called to the scene where he arrested the accused for obstreperous. He took the being drunk in public and in other charge of being drunk in public into account. breach of the peace. Thirty-four Travellers, including one woman, who are charged with public order offences for their alleged involvement in a full scale Traveller riot which took place in Galway city last year, were further remanded on bail, at Galway District Court this week. He remanded the hour, the court was told. All of the accused are Judge John Garavan remaining 34 defendants on charged with public affray the same terms this week. remanded two other accused and with possession of on continuing bail last week The case will be mentioned articles with intent to cause injury following a running to appear before the court on December 11 and a riot between two Traveller again on December 11, for special date will be fixed then for hearing. clans, described at an earlier service of a book of court hearing as resembling evidence. a scene from Braveheart, which took place at a football field in Castle Park on the outskirts of Galway city on July 5 last year. A man has stopped taking drugs since being arrested and Up to 70 Travellers had charged with having three different types of drugs in his gathered at the field, possession, Galway District Court heard this week. including members of the John Gallagher, 115 Rathylin Glebe, Ballybane, pleaded Donovan clan, from Gort guilty to being in possession of a small quantity of cannabis and Galway. resin, cannabis herb, and one Ecstasy tablet, total value 3 0 , On the other side, were when searched by members of the Garda Drugs Unit on May members of the Ward, 10 last at his home. Sweeney, and McDonagh Defending solicitor, Jenny Prendergast told the court her clans, from Galway. A full scale riot took place and client no longer used drugs and was holding down a slash hooks, hurleys, responsible job. He had the drugs in his possession at the baseball bats, and a variety time, she said, for his own personal use. Judge John Garavan accepted this and fined Gallagher of other weapons were used. The riot lasted for almost an 100 on each of the three charges. Keith McDonagh, 124 Bailinfoyle Park, Galway, was driving a car on January 16 last at Terryland roundabout, Headford Road, Galway, when he lost control, went across two lanes and collided with another car travelling in the same direction. McDonagh admitted he was driving too fast at the time. He also admitted not having insurance. Inspector Tony O'Donnell said substantial damage was done to the other car and the driver and passenger were injured. McDonagh told the court

A young driver who lost control of a car and collided with another car on the approach to a roundabout was sentenced to three months in prison for not having insurance, at Galway District Court. he was currently serving a three-months sentence for driving without insurance. Insp O'Donnell confirmed this and said McDonagh had six previous convictions for the offence. Judge John Garavan imposed the term of to run imprisonment to consecutively current McDonagh's sentence and he disqualified him from driving for four years. He adjourned a dangerous driving charge to March '03, to see if the accused would be suitable for a community service order then.

Ballybane man fined on drugs charges