Laughter in court
THERE was laughter at the District Court in Gorey last week as Judge William Hamill dealt with a statement of means submitted by a defendant seeking free legal aid. Before the court was James Connors with an address at Lower Tinnahask in Arklow accused of burglary at Cherryorchard and dangerous driving on November 25.
Solicitor Michelle Sheeran, appearing for the 29-year-old, stated that her client had no income and no resources but the judge pointed out that Connors had been stopped in a van he said was his own. Keeping a vehicle on the road costs €4,500, the judge reckoned, and the defendant depended on €180 weekly social welfare.
Aside from the cost of tax, insurance and petrol for his van, the accused had the further expense of two schoolgoing children, it emerged: 'The figures don't make any sense,' Judge Hamill observed of Connors's ability to balance his books. 'He should be running the country.'
The case stands adjourned to January 18. Also allowed bail was co-accused Mike Connors (19) of 66 Coolevin, Ballybrack, Co. Dublin, charged with possession of drugs and burglary on the same occasion.
