Man's behaviour towards gardaí in Sligo Courthouse was ‘totally unacceptable'
Declan Cunnane, Declan Cunnane with addresses at Dejavu, Loughlinstown, Cherrywood, Dublin 6 and Woodfield, Ballymote, Co Sligo was charged with engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour at the Clayton Hotel, Clarion Road, Sligo on January 17 2025. He was also charged with the same offence at Sligo Courthouse, Teeling St, Sligo on May 1 2025.
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Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Irish Independent
Man who illegally entered 88-year-old's home leaving him in fear has jail term doubled after failed appeal
The appeal court heard that Gerry Cash (33) with an address at Tombrack, Ferns, Co Wexford left the vulnerable pensioner, who has short term memory loss, in a distressed state after entering his Co Kildare house. Cash was convicted in the District Court of trespassing on a building in a manner that causes or is likely to cause fear in another person contrary to section 13 (1) of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994. He was sentenced to nine months in custody with the final six months suspended and later lodged an appeal against his conviction. However his defence counsel, Asma Saleh BL, yesterday informed the court that the case would proceed by appealing the severity of sentence only and the prosecuting garda's evidence was not contested. Garda Padraig Murphy told the District Court Appeals Court that gardai got a report on February 22, 2023 from the daughter of the injured party. He said that a neighbour alerted her that they saw a white van outside her father's house and that a man knocked on the window and the door of the house. Garda Murphy said that the man was heard shouting 'I've got you that' before entering the house. He said that the neighbour saw the man in the sitting room and he later left the property in his van. Gda Murphy said that the victim was left 'very shaken and pale' after the incident. Garda Murphy said that the man was in the care of his daughters, who left him alone for one hour a day. He said this had never happened to the man before and he had no memory of the incident due to his memory loss difficulties. Garda Murphy said that CCTV was obtained and shared with gardai allowing Cash to be identified, arrested and detained. He said that in the interview, Cash admitted to being at the scene and leaving a calling card. He was charged with trespassing and was convicted in the District Court. Ms Saleh said that Cash is 'extremely remorseful' for his actions and that he is aware it was bad behaviour. ADVERTISEMENT She said that her client's doctor reports that he suffers from anxiety, depression and low mood swings. She also said that his wife is currently pregnant after a long time in IVF treatment. The daughter of the injured party gave a victim impact statement, telling the court that she is her father's full time carer and that he used to have one hour on his own. She said when she came into her father's house that day he didn't know what had happened and was very pale. She said that he shook as she showered him and he was very upset. She said: 'that man took every bit of independence from my father'. She said that her father worked all of his life and he 'didn't deserve for that to happen to him'. Judge Dara Hayes said that the court had the power to increase the appellant's jail sentence as well as decreasing it on appeal. He said that the original sentence of nine months in custody with the final six months suspended was 'lenient under the circumstances'. He said that it was clear from the injured party's reaction that he was put in a position of some distress. The judge said that whatever independence the man had was taken away and that the injured party was entitled to be unmolested in his own home. Judge Hayes decided to keep the sentence of the District Court of nine months in custody but only suspended the final three months. This represents an increase from an effective three months in custody in the original sentencing, to six months in custody after appeal. He said that he would suspend the final three months for the period of 12 months on the condition that Cash keeps the peace and does not contact the injured party or his family again. Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.
Irish Examiner
5 days ago
- Irish Examiner
Trespasser who took 'every bit of independence' from vulnerable pensioner has jail term doubled
A trespasser who entered a vulnerable 88-year-old man's home, taking "every bit of independence" from him, has had his original jail term doubled, despite appealing to the judge for a lower sentence. The appeal court heard that Gerry Cash, aged 33, with an address at Tombrack, Ferns, Co Wexford, left the vulnerable pensioner, who has short-term memory loss, in a distressed state after entering his Co Kildare house. Cash was convicted in the district court of trespassing on a building in a manner that causes or is likely to cause fear in another person contrary to section 13 (1) of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994. He was sentenced to nine months in custody with the final six months suspended and later lodged an appeal against his conviction. However his defence counsel, Asma Saleh BL, informed the court on Monday that the case would proceed by appealing the severity of sentence only and the prosecuting garda's evidence was not contested. The offence Garda Padraig Murphy told the District Court Appeals Court that gardaí got a report on February 22, 2023, from the daughter of the injured party. He said that a neighbour alerted her that they saw a white van outside her father's house and that a man knocked on the window and the door of the house. Garda Murphy said that the man was heard shouting 'I've got you that' before entering the house. He said that the neighbour saw the man in the sitting room and he later left the property in his van. Gda Murphy said that the victim was left 'very shaken and pale' after the incident. The garda said that the man was in the care of his daughters, who left him alone for one hour a day. He said this had never happened to the man before and he had no memory of the incident due to his memory loss difficulties. Garda Murphy said that CCTV was obtained and shared with gardaí allowing Cash to be identified, arrested and detained. He said that in the interview, Cash admitted to being at the scene and leaving a calling card. He was charged with trespassing and was convicted in the district court. Ms Saleh said that Cash is 'extremely remorseful' for his actions and that he is aware it was bad behaviour. She said that her client's doctor reports that he suffers from anxiety, depression and low mood swings. She also said that his wife is currently pregnant after a long time in IVF treatment. Victim impact statement The daughter of the injured party gave a victim impact statement, telling the court that she is her father's full-time carer and that he used to have one hour on his own. She said when she came into her father's house that day he didn't know what had happened and was very pale. She said that he shook as she showered him and he was very upset. She said: 'That man took every bit of independence from my father'. She said that her father worked all of his life and he 'didn't deserve for that to happen to him'. Ruling Judge Dara Hayes said that the court had the power to increase the appellant's jail sentence as well as decreasing it on appeal. He said that the original sentence of nine months in custody with the final six months suspended was 'lenient under the circumstances'. He said that it was clear from the injured party's reaction that he was put in a position of some distress. The judge said that whatever independence the man had was taken away and that the injured party was entitled to be unmolested in his own home. Judge Hayes decided to keep the sentence of the district court of nine months in custody but only suspended the final three months. This represents an increase from an effective three months in custody in the original sentencing, to six months in custody after appeal. He said that he would suspend the final three months for the period of 12 months on the condition that Cash keeps the peace and does not contact the injured party or his family again.
Sunday World
19-07-2025
- Sunday World
Funeral details announced for young mother found dead at Limerick hotel
Clodagh Ferguson (25) will be laid to rest following her sudden death at the Clayton Hotel. Funeral arrangements were announced Saturday for a young mother of one who was found dead at a hotel in Limerick City last Wednesday. Clodagh Ferguson, (25), from Mill Road, Corbally, Limerick, was pronounced deceased at the Clayton Hotel, at around 10.20pm, on July 16th. The Garda Press Office said Thursday that 'Gardaí assisted emergency services with a medical emergency at a premises in Limerick City, Wednesday 16th July 2025' and that 'a woman was pronounced deceased by ambulance personnel'. A post mortem was conducted and Gardaí do not suspect foul play in Ms Ferguson's death. The late Clodagh Ferguson. Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 19th Ms Ferguson's family stated in an online notice Saturday: 'It is with broken hearts we announce the death of our beloved and cherished Clodagh Ferguson, Meadow brook, Mill Road, Corbally, Limerick, on July 16th 2025, unexpectedly.' The notice stated that Ms Ferguson's remains would repose at Cross's Funeral Home, Gerald Griffin Street, Monday, July 21st, from 4.30pm to 6.30pm. Ms Ferguson's funeral mass will take place at 1pm at St John's Cathedral, Cathedral Place, Limerick City followed by cremation at Shannon Crematorium, Shannon Co Clare. The Ferguson family requested 'no flowers please' and that 'donations, if desired' could be made to 'Adapt House', Limerick. 'To respect the family's wishes at this time the House is Strictly Private at all times. 'To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die'', concluded the notice. Hundreds of people posted tributes and condolences to Ms Ferguson on social media. One friend wrote: 'Rest in Peace gorgeous girl thinking of your little boy and your family at this time so heartbreaking.' Another stated: 'RIP Clodagh I hope you have found peace and that your little boy and family have the strength to get through this heartbreaking time xx'. Another posted: 'Rest in peace with the angels. My condolences to your family friends and relatives. May God watch over them all.' Another woman described Ms Ferguson as 'another angel gone too soon'. 'Fly high and free condolences to her family give them strength at this sad time just heart breaking,' the woman added. Reliable sources said a post mortem would be carried out on the woman's body Thursday to assist authorities in the cause of her death. Ms Ferguson is survived by her mother Sonia, son Dylan, Dylan's father Dominic, sisters Allida and Abi, and grandparents Ann and Tom O'Halloran and Chris Ferguson.
