Defendant got emotional in court and shouted at judge
Judge Geraldine Carthy
“AN EXTREMELY emotional person” who got upset in court and shouted at the judge was handed a suspended sentence when he was summoned back to court to face a public order offence. John Moran, 76 St Patrick’s Park, Tullow pleaded guilty last week to engaging in threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour at Carlow courthouse, Athy Road, Carlow on 29 November last.
Inspector David Shore told the court that 41-year-old Mr Moran had gotten aggressive in court that day, when a relation was being sent to prison. He said that Mr Moran shouted at the judge and kicked a door in the courtroom, and that he had 25 previous convictions.
Defending solicitor John O’Sullivan said that the previous convictions were historic, while also handing Judge Geraldine Carthy a letter from the defendant’s doctor. He described his client as “an extremely emotional person who got upset in court” but that he “behaved impeccably when he was brought to Carlow Garda Station”.
When Mr O’Sullivan asked Judge Carthy for time to prepare a probation report for a more “holistic” picture of Mr Moran, Judge Carthy said that “it was in no-one’s interest” to adjourn sentencing. She then sentenced Mr Moran to two months’ imprisonment, which she suspended for 12 months, while also ordering him to be of good behaviour.
