Latest news with #DundalkCourt
Sunday World
19-07-2025
- Sunday World
Teen driver caught doing 176kmh was racing to help person ‘under threat'
Jamie Mackin had never been in trouble before nor had he ever given any trouble at home, the court heard. An 18 year-old man drove at 176kmh on his way to help a person under threat, Dundalk Court has been told. Jamie Mackin, Drumboy Road, Crossmaglen, Co. Armagh is accused of dangerous driving on the N53 at Philipstown, Hackballscross where the road is governed by a 100kmh speed limit. Through his solicitor the construction worker offered a plea of guilty to the lesser charge of careless driving which does not carry a mandatory disqualification on conviction. Finalisation of the case was adjourned until November 19 for the defendant to compete a driver awareness course. Judge Nicola Andrews told him that he should he considering a 'not insignificant amount' to the court fund. Evidence was given that during a speed check on the road on June 1 last, a Volkswagen Passat was detected travelling at 176kmh in a 100kmh zone. The car was stopped and the driver arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving. Solicitor Frank McDonnell said that his client received word that another person was under threat at a house in Dundalk and he was on the way there. The driving in question lasted for about two miles. The road was clear and conditions dry. He didn't overtake before getting caught in traffic and stopping when the guards signalled. Mr McDonnell continued that the prosecuting garda consented to the charge being reduced. The defendant engaged and co-operated with the officer. He worked six days a week in construction and rarely socialised. He was saving up to buy a digger. His future was in driving when he bought the digger. It cost him €5,000 to insure the car. Mr Mackin had never been in trouble before nor had he ever given any trouble at home. His mother was present in court. The solicitor said he was apologising through him. To lose his licence would have an immeasurable impact and set him back. Judge Andrews said she would have to think about it. It was 'very troubling'. Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme
Sunday World
18-07-2025
- Sunday World
Mother tells court her son ‘needs to go to jail' after threats to smash up home
'I'm happy I would know where he is (in prison).' A woman has told Dundalk Court that her 28-year-old son needed to go to jail. "I'm afraid of him dying on the street. He hasn't been off drugs for a long time. He needs to go away. I'm happy I would know where he is (in prison).' The defendant had also instructed his solicitor to ask the judge to put him into custody as he was 'doing badly at the moment'. The man pleaded guilty to all charges before the court which included breaches of orders his mother took out when he threatened to smash up her home. Dundalk Courthouse Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 18th Evidence was given that at 6.30pm on March 18 last he arrived at the house and broke ornaments. On the following June 17 at 10.42pm at another location in Dundalk, armed gardaí responded to an incident where there was an aggressive male in a house threatening to smash windows. He was directed to get on the ground before being arrested. He was 'extremely intoxicated'. The next day at 12.23pm at Market Square gardaí saw the defendant take a sharply pointed blade from his trousers and discard it before fleeing. He was arrested later that day for a separate offence of being intoxicated in public at The Crescent. There were 54 previous convictions. A solicitor said that the accused was homeless. He was addicted to tablets, cocaine and alcohol. He wanted to go into custody for the help he might get there. Judge Nicola Andrews said that the man had been given numerous chances by the court. Concurrent six-month sentences were imposed for the knife and Section 33 Domestic Violence Act (DVA) charges. Other charges were taken into consideration along with two summonses for possession of small amounts of Alprazolam and cannabis respectively. When the defendant's mother asked if he would get help, the judge directed that he receive medical treatment in custody. Legal aid was granted. Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme
Sunday World
30-05-2025
- Sunday World
Man acted like ‘bull in a china shop' when he grabbed garda and threatened to choke him
Michael Davidson, Meeting House Lane, Linenhall Street, Dundalk, had been walking along the centre of the road in front of a Garda patrol vehicle before the incident occurred. A 43-year-old man grabbed a Garda by the lapels, forced him against a wall and threatened to choke him, Dundalk Court has heard. Michael Davidson, Meeting House Lane, Linenhall Street, Dundalk, had been walking along the centre of the road in front of a Garda patrol vehicle before the incident occurred. He pleaded guilty to being intoxicated in public, using or engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour or words, obstructing a Garda in the execution of his duty and a Section 35 pedestrian offence at Quay Street, Dundalk, on December 7, 2023. Dundalk Court. Stock image. News in 90 Seconds - May 30th Evidence was given that the defendant was walking in the centre of the road ahead of a patrol vehicle. He stopped and began shouting at it. Mr Davidson refused to move on several occasions before the Garda drove around him, pulled in and got out. The man again refused to move. He was shouting aggressively at the officer and, while being escorted, grabbed him by the lapels and forced him against a wall. He attempted to strike the Garda and said that he would choke him. He referred to 'a previous attack he carried out with a bottle'. There were 51 previous convictions. Barrister Niall Mackin said that the defendant was on medication and had addiction issues at the time. He completed a Turas Counselling Service course and was clean since. Mr Davidson had one child, one grandchild and was carer for his partner. He instructed that he would not be in trouble again. He had €300 to offer. Judge Nicola Andrews said she wouldn't let a situation pass with a charitable donation when a Garda was attacked. The defendant 'was like a bull in a china shop,' the judge added. He was remanded on continuing bail to June 11 for a probation report and community service assessment. Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme
