‘I have to see him’– judge wants answers of man with 56 priors
Carlow courthouse
A JUDGE has insisted on seeing a man with 56 previous convictions in person, saying that fines are not having the desired effect and she wants to know why the Galway resident keeps turning up in Carlow.
Declan Moloney, 14 Woodlands, Ballinasloe, Co Galway was not present when his case was called before Judge Geraldine Carthy at Carlow District Court. His solicitor, Joe Farrell, was asked to enter a guilty plea on his client’s behalf in relation to a public order matter and told the court there were “quite a few previous”.
The court heard that at 3.30pm on 12 April, a speed camera on the R417 at Maganey Lower, Carlow clocked Mr Moloney’s car travelling at 76kph in a 60kph zone.
The court also heard of unrelated public order matters from July. On 5 July, Mr Moloney was reported to be annoying members of the public outside Racey Byrne’s on Tullow Street, Carlow town.
Gardaí found him unsteady on his feet and “it was clear he was intoxicated” with a smell of alcohol coming from him. He was abusive towards gardaí, telling them: “You can’t hide behind a uniform forever.”
Mr Moloney has 56 previous convictions, 27 of which relate to public order offences. His most recent was at Athy District Court on 8 September for a section 4 offence of being intoxicated in public.
In mitigation, Mr Farrell said: “There’s quite a gap between his convictions. He’s from the west of Ireland and he says he missed his train home.
“He is asking me to apologise to the court and not to waste the court’s time by doing anything other than entering a guilty plea,” the solicitor said, adding that his client “accepts he was outside the pub” on the date in question.
Noting Mr Moloney’s absence, Judge Carthy said: “I have to see him. The facts are quite stark and the fines aren’t having the desired effect.
“I don’t know what he’s doing in Carlow,” she remarked.
“Well, Carlow’s a popular spot,” Mr Farrell responded without missing a beat.
“I mean, he lives in Galway, what is he doing in Carlow? Is he a student here? I want to find out why,” said the judge.
Judge Carthy adjourned the section 4 and section 6 public order matters to mid-October. She said she would convict Mr Moloney on the speeding matter but would finalise it on the same date.
