Latest news with #LongfordDistrictCourt
Sunday World
3 days ago
- Sunday World
OAP spent 73 days in hospital after being hit by jack-knifed horse trailer
James Farrell, 62, appeared in court to face a charge of careless driving causing serious bodily harm along a section of the main N55. A collision involving what Judge Owens described as two "long based jeep type vehicles", one of which was driven by James Farrell left an old age pensioner with broken ribs, a punctured lung fractured pelvis vertebrae in his back alongside a multitude of other injuries, a court has heard. James Farrell (62) had been intending to plead guilty to a charge of careless driving causing serious bodily harm before Judge Bernadette Owens deemed the case to be too serious to be heard in the District Court. An old age pensioner was forced to spend almost three months in hospital and left with multiple broken bones when he was 'propelled into a ditch' by a vehicle that collided with a towed horse trailer along a busy national carriageway in the midlands. The elderly man, aged in his 80s, was left with several broken ribs, a punctured lung and fractured pelvis together with breaks to his left leg and shoulder, a dislocated right shoulder and fractured vertebrae in his back as a result of a collision which occurred at Cranalagh More, Edgeworthstown, Longford on August 18, 2024. Sixty-two-year-old James Farrell, with an address at Cranley Beg, Edgeworthstown, Co Longford appeared at a sitting of Longford District Court to face a charge of careless driving causing serious bodily harm along a section of the main N55. James Farrell (62) had been intending to plead guilty to a charge of careless driving causing serious bodily harm before Judge Bernadette Owens deemed the case to be too serious to be heard in the District Court. The court was told how the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had directed the case to be disposed of in the District Court on a guilty plea only. Judge Bernadette Owens, in deciding jurisdiction, was informed the incident took place shortly after 8am when the pensioner exited the front passenger seat of a jeep he had been travelling in order to go to the toilet. The accused, the court heard, had been travelling in a "long based jeep type' vehicle when it collided with the horse trailer. Such was the force of the collision, the trailer jack-knifed and struck the elderly man who was thrown into a ditch as a result. James Farrell outside Longford Courthouse. Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 27th Farrell's defence solicitor Tom Madden indicated that while a guilty plea would be forthcoming, there were a certain degree of 'extenuating circumstances' at play. They chiefly revolved around the fact the collision took place at a particularly hazardous location and occurred at a time when his client's vision had been impaired by the glare of a rising morning sun. Having heard the State's evidence and submission made on behalf of Farrell, Judge Owens said the court had to weigh up a number of factors before deciding whether its sentencing powers were sufficient enough to dispose of the case. A collision involving what Judge Owens described as two "long based jeep type vehicles", one of which was driven by James Farrell left an old age pensioner with broken ribs, a punctured lung fractured pelvis vertebrae in his back alongside a multitude of other injuries, a court has heard. She said Farrell's intention to plead guilty was one such element, as was Mr Madden's contention in reference to the challenges posed by a low lying sun, the location of the collision on a 'narrowish' stretch of road and by the fact its locus was governed by the presence of a continuous white line. More crucially, however, she said were the 'very significant injuries' that emanated from the incident and which ultimately coincided in the elderly man's hospitalisation for a total of 73 days. On that basis, Judge Owens said the court had no option but to refuse jurisdiction. That prompted Sgt Enda Daly to take to his feet and reveal the DPP, on foot of the court's ruling, would now be consenting for Farrell to be returned for trial to the Circuit Criminal Court for trial or for sentencing on a signed guilty plea. Mr Madden confirmed sufficient disclosure of all State evidence in the case had been made in order to discuss those practicalities with his client. Farrell was consequently remanded on bail to appear back at a sitting of Longford District Court on September 23.
Sunday World
09-07-2025
- Sunday World
Two doctors and secretary sent for trial accused of theft and money laundering
General practitioners Muhammad Azam and Waqas Farooqi, as well as Gillian McCord appeared at a sitting of Longford District Court Two midlands-based doctors and a secretary have been sent forward to stand trial, accused of multiple counts of stealing money under a state-funded healthcare reimbursement scheme and submitting false medical service claims on behalf of patients to the HSE. General practitioners Muhammad Azam (59), of The Rocks, Stonepark, Co Longford, and Waqas Farooqi (46) Belvedere Hills, Mullingar, Co Westmeath, as well as Gillian McCord (56), of Knockanboy, Co Longford, appeared at a sitting of Longford District Court where they were each served with a book of evidence. The trio face a total of over 130 charges between them, amounting to 20 counts of theft and a further 22 concerning the alleged use of false general medical services claims or out-of-hours payment forms for 12 different patients at the Primary Care Reimbursement Services head offices, Exit 50, North Road, Finglas, Dublin 11, on various dates between August 2017 and October 2019. Doctor's Azam and Farooqi, the court heard, were facing 48 and 47 charges respectively with their co-accused issued with 42 charges. Dr Waqas Farooqi outside Longford Courthouse. The particulars of those charges alleged false medical documentation was used to indicate that a particular patient had received a 'medical service' with the 'intent of inducing another person to accept it as genuine' under the provisions of section 26 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001. Dr Azam and Dr Farooqi were similarly charged with multiple counts of money laundering at locations within the State that related to various bank accounts from AIB, PTSB and Ulster Bank between October 2017 and December 2019. Sgt Gerry Newton gave evidence of having served a book of evidence on both doctors and Ms McCord prior to the commencement of court proceedings this morning. Judge Bernadette Owens gave what is known as the alibi warning to the trio, advising them of their obligations to notify the State of any alibi evidence they wished to rely on during the course of their trial. Gillian McCord outside Longford Courthouse. Defence solicitor for Dr Azam, Aoife Dalton made an application to vary her client's bail and to return his passport in late December. Judge Owens said that request was, however, one that should be put to the Circuit Criminal Court as it was not an 'immediate' variation that was being asked for. Patrick Groarke SC, for Ms McCord confirmed his client was a medical secretary and applied for legal aid on her behalf. Dr Muhammad Azam was served with a book of evidence alongside his two co-accused Dr Waqas Farooqi and Gillian McCord Judge Owens sanctioned that request, assigning both a junior and senior counsel in the process. All three appeared at an initial hearing before the same court four weeks earlier where, aside from their co-accused, both doctors lodged €5,000 cash lodgements as part of their bail conditions. Dr Muhammad Azam on his way into Longford Courthouse. Among a raft of other court imposed orders were for the trio to surrender their passports and to refrain from applying for any duplicate travel documentation. Dr Azam and Ms McCord were also directed to sign on once a week at Longford Garda Station with Dr Farooqi's bail terms complying him to do likewise in Mullingar. That hearing was also told how the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had directed for the trio to be sent forward for trial without consent being given to a signed plea. All three are due to appear before a sitting of Longford Circuit Criminal Court on July 15.
Sunday World
03-07-2025
- Sunday World
Dubliner accused of late-night raid at intellectual disabilities provider
Ballymun man Derek Hickey (37) appeared before Judge Peter White at a sitting of Longford District Court This is the first image of a man accused of breaking into a midlands based disabilities provider and causing criminal damage during a late night raid. Derek Hickey (37) of Shangan Crescent, Ballymun, Dublin 9, appeared before Judge Peter White at a sitting of Longford District Court to face a total of five charges which were allegedly committed over the course of May 28 and May 29. The Dubliner, who is on bail, first came before the courts at a special sitting in Carrick-on-Shannon just over five weeks ago following his arrest barely four hours after a break-in was reported at St Christopher's Services in Longford town. Derek Hickey on the steps of Longford Courthouse. News in 90 Seconds - Thursday, July 3 The accused was later charged with burglary at the Battery Road facility by entering St Christopher's Special School as a trespasser on May 29. He was also charged with two counts of trespass at Aughatoom House, Battery Road, Longford and at a property at Druid Glen, White Linen Woods in the midlands town. The court was previously told how it will be alleged a suspect matching Hickey's description was observed on CCTV wearing a high vis jacket and blue cap gaining entry to the premises and where a series of electrical items were taken. Derek Hickey stands accused of breaking into intellectual disabilities provider St Christopher's in Longford town. That incident, it was alleged, led to a laptop being taken, the total of haul of which amounted to €1,200. The court heard how it will be alleged Hickey was stopped shortly after 7am along the Earl Street area of town wearing 'identical clothing' to the attire which had been observed on the suspect in CCTV taken from the scene while in possession of the stolen property which had been taken from St Christopher's just hours earlier. Hickey was further charged with causing criminal damage to a vehicle when attempting to pull the wires of its ignition in a bid to start it alongside a further count of theft from Aldi, Athlone Road, Longford the previous evening. Derek Hickey on the steps of Longford Courthouse. It was Hickey's third time in court when he appeared before Longford District Court and where his solicitor Anthony Feeney made an application for the 'full disclosure' of all relevant State evidence to be handed over in order to consider his client's position. Hickey, who sported a blue Nike tracksuit to court, did not enter a plea and remained silent throughout the hearing. Judge Peter White acceded to Mr Feeney's request and remanded Hickey on continuing bail to a sitting of Longford District Court on October 21 when the accused is expected to enter a plea or seek a date for hearing.
Sunday World
28-06-2025
- Sunday World
Man who spat in garda's face to appeal rejected International Protection application
Youcef Mohamoud (27), of Richmond Court, Richmond Street, Longford saw his application to remain in the country turned down. A knife wielding asylum seeker who told a security guard at a midlands accommodation centre: 'I will kill you, I will f*** you up' before spitting in the face of a garda and masturbating inside a custody cell is to appeal a decision to turn down his bid for international protection. Youcef Mohamoud (27), of Richmond Court, Richmond Street, Longford saw his application to remain in the country turned down by International Protection Office (IPO) prior to a series of offences he carried out that saw him threat to kill the security employee, assault a garda and commit three separate incidents of criminal damage last month. Mohamoud entered guilty pleas at a sitting of Longford District Court alongside two further charges for public order on May 16. Sgt Enda Daly, in providing the State's evidence, told of how Mohamoud had first been detained on May 3 under section 12 of the Mental Health Act when officers were called to the town's Richmond Street area where they found the accused 'on his hands and knees' shouting in the middle of the road. Longford Courthouse. News in 90 Seconds - June 28th Follow up inquires found that Mohamoud had moments earlier caused €200 worth of damage to a female motorist's car after jumping on its bonnet while her vehicle had been caught in slow moving traffic. Sgt Daly revealed how Mohamoud had later gone on to smear the inside of a holding cell at Longford Garda Station with blood and urinated on a blanket shortly before stuffing it and its soiled contents down a toilet bowl. In the wake of that incident and when gardaí were processing him, Sgt Daly said Mohamoud spat at Garda Kevin McGloin's face through the cell hatch after ripping up a charge sheet which had been given to him seconds earlier. Just over two weeks later, Judge Bernadette Owens heard details of a second, more violent incident when gardaí were called to deal with a disturbance at Richmond Court shortly after midnight on May 18. Sgt Daly said a member of security told gardaí upon their arrival of how they had been confronted by Mohamoud in the facility's kitchen area. CCTV footage was obtained, showing Mohamoud first gesturing with his hands and then becoming increasingly agitated in a row the pair had been having over a fridge. The court was told Mohamoud, who had been in custody since May 19, could be seen on camera arming himself with a green kitchen knife where he proceeded to stab a series of wall tiles. Sgt Daly said it was during that exchange, Mohamoud told his victim: 'I will kill you if you turn the fridge on again, I will f*** you up.' Gardaí subsequently arrested the accused and handcuffed him as officers placed him into the rear of a patrol car. The court heard it was there that Mohamoud's conduct took a more virulent turn as he began to scream out in Arabic. In an attempt to diffuse the situation, Sgt Daly said gardaí endeavoured to physically restrain the accused in an incident that saw Mohamoud try to bite and spit at Garda Sean Harrison. Sgt Daly said when Mohamoud was brought back to Longford Garda Station, the accused ripped at his clothes, spat at the cell door and began to masturbate. Judge Owens also learned of Mohamoud's previous solitary conviction which had been handed down by the same court barely a month beforehand which saw the accused being placed on a six month peace bond. In defence, solicitor Bríd Mimnagh was questioned by Judge Owens when noting the court's file concerning an 'issue of possible repatriation'. Ms Mimnagh replied by confirming Mohamoud was intent on appealing a decision against him securing international protection and remaining in Ireland. 'He did say he wanted to appeal the decision to refuse him to allow him to stay in this country,' she remarked, adding how Mohamoud had also secured a solicitor in Athlone 'with a view to appealing that decision to the High Court.' Judge Owens was told a 'very comprehensive report' had previously been furnished to the court from a psychiatrist at Castlerea Prison which outlined some of the medical difficulties Mohamoud was continuing to encounter. '(He) accepts he is responsible for his behaviour and has pleaded guilty to the charges,' said Ms Mimnagh, in referencing the report and how its contents had indicated both 'intoxication and substance abuse' had been behind Mohamoud's offending. 'He had been doing well and when he takes his medication he does well and he has to deal with the issue of returning to his home country or staying here.' Ms Mimnagh said Mohamoud was cognisant of his wrongdoing and had secured an address in Mullingar to reside in upon his release from prison. In delivering her sentence, Judge Owens said the court was mindful of the guilty pleas which had been entered, but also noted how Mohamoud had only weeks earlier been 'given an opportunity' in being placed on a peace bond. She said the offences before the court 'clearly showed an escalation' as to Mohamoud's level of offending 'over a very short period of time.' As such, she handed down a three month prison term for the assault on Garda McGloin, backdating its duration to May 19. Two accompanying criminal damage charges from the same date were, meanwhile, 'taken into consideration'. A further five month consecutive sentence, which Judge Owens suspended for 18 months, was also issued for the threat to kill charge with a further criminal damage charge and two counts of public order being similarly 'taken into account.'
Sunday World
25-06-2025
- Sunday World
Thief called garda ‘f*****g p***k' while trying to intervene in arrest of another man
Ritvars Razma (28) of Edgeworthstown, Longford pleaded guilty to five separate incidents of theft, public order and knife possession Ritvars Razma called a garda a "f****** p****" shortly after he attempted to intervene in the arrest of a man in Edgeworthstown, Co Longford. A jobless man carried out a brace of shoplifting raids before later going on to call a garda a 'f****** p****' while trying to intervene in the arrest of another man in a midlands town, a court has heard. Ritvars Razma (28) of Bracklin Park, Edgeworthstown, Longford pleaded guilty to five separate incidents of theft, public order and knife possession at various locations over an 11-month period, a sitting of Longford District Court was told. Ritvars Razma (28) had 36 previous convictions to his name before going on his latest crime spree, a court has heard. Three of those involved episodes of shoplifting, two of which happened within a 24 hour period of each other on June 8 and June 9 last year when Razma stole three bottles of whiskey from the town's SuperValu store at Townparks in Longford town. The total haul of those thefts amounted to almost €75 with Razma also admitting a subsequent further theft from Tesco where the accused was caught red-handed by security personnel just outside the Longford Shopping Centre's store on April 3 this year moments after he placed another stolen bottle of whiskey inside his jacket. Sgt Enda Daly provided details of two further public order offences Razma committed along a stretch of the Longford Road in Edgeworthstown on October 31, 2024 during which he verbally abused an officer shortly after he attempted to step in as gardaí attempted to execute the arrest of another man. Judge Bernandette Owens was told as Razma was directed to leave the area, he branded a garda a 'f****** p****. That prompted Razma to be asked for his name and address, something he refused to comply with and which ultimately led to his arrest. Just seven months later, Razma again found himself in hot water, this time when gardaí spotted him acting suspiciously along Edgeworthstown's Pound Street area on May 1. When Garda Padraig Shanley carried out a search of Razma under the Misuse of Drugs Act, the court was told a multi tool knife was retrieved together with drugs paraphernalia. Ritvars Razma called a garda a "f****** p****" shortly after he attempted to intervene in the arrest of a man in Edgeworthstown, Co Longford. Sgt Daly said Razma offered 'no reasonable explanation' as to why he had the knife in his possession in an incident that led to him being charged under section 9 (1) of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act. The court was told Razma had previously racked up 36 convictions, among which included offences for public order, criminal damage and arson. Sgt Daly, in outlining Razma's criminal past, also revealed how he had been subject to a peace bond and be of good behaviour for a period of ten years after a six year suspended sentence was handed down in June 2019 for the aforementioned arson charge at Tullamore Circuit Criminal Court. Ritvars Razma called a garda a "f****** p****" shortly after he attempted to intervene in the arrest of a man in Edgeworthstown, Co Longford. News in 90 Seconds - June 25th In defence, solicitor Bríd Mimnagh insisted the so-called paraphernalia found on her client along with the knife charge 'had nothing to do with drugs' and was more innocently connected to Razma undertaking a spot of fishing. She also implored the court to afford the unemployed Razma space and time to garner the requisite monies to cover the cost of the three shoplifting incidents. More pointedly, Ms Mimnagh said Razma was now firmly intent on getting his back on an even keel while under the watchful guidance of his close family. 'He missed a lot of courts but in the last six weeks he has been under the influence of his parents,' she said, noting how Razma's father had contacted her directly to ensure of his attendance in court. Judge Owens said while the court had been made aware of Razma's intention to plead guilty at a previous court sitting in May, in light of his 'significant previous convictions', the court was minded to direct a probation report. In remanding Razma on continuing bail to a sitting of Longford District Court on November 11, Judge Owens said the five month hiatus would also provide the necessary time for him to summon together compensation for the shops he stole from.
